Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni has criticized the defamation lawsuit filed by Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, against Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi’s legal team dragged the actor-turned-politician to court over allegations Okonkwo made during a television interview following the NDC primary elections in the South East. Okonkwo claimed that Obi and other party leaders in the region collected bribes from aspirants vying for House of Representatives and senatorial seats. Obi’s camp strongly denied the claims, issued a seven-day ultimatum for retraction, and reportedly demanded ₦5 billion in damages.
On Arise TV’s morning show, Rufai Oseni described Okonkwo as a “political surrogate” and advised Obi against pursuing the case, arguing it was a waste of time.
Rufai’s key reason: The lawsuit has given the allegations far more publicity than they originally received. He noted that many people were unaware of Okonkwo’s comments until the suit made headlines.
“If I’m to advise Mr Peter Obi, I would ask him to remove that case from the court,” Rufai said. “He doesn’t need [it]. I can bet you that a lot of people did not even hear when Kenneth Okonkwo said it. It became news when Peter Obi sued him.”
“You just gave a media traction to this guy. Allow him to talk as he wants. The best you can do is to refute it. It is not everything you react to,” he added.
The controversy continues to generate reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
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