Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has rejected Peter Obi’s demand for a retraction and apology over claims relating to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary elections.
In a response to Obi’s pre-action notice, Okonkwo said he
would not withdraw the comments he made during a recent interview on Channels
Television, insisting that they were based on complaints brought to him by some
aspirants and other sources.
The dispute stems from allegations made by Okonkwo on
Sunrise Daily, where he claimed that some aspirants in the NDC were asked to
pay money to secure party tickets.
Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate, subsequently issued a
pre-action letter through Alex Ejesieme, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN),
demanding a retraction, public apology, and N5 billion in damages.
The former Anambra governor described Okonkwo’s claims as
false, malicious, and defamatory.
However, in a reply dated June 16, Okonkwo, through his
solicitors at Supreme God Chambers, denied defaming Obi.
“The kernel of your letter is that our Client defamed your
Client through the interview on Channels Television on 8 June 2026,” Okonkwo’s
lawyers wrote.
“Our Client denies that he defamed your Client in any manner
whatsoever and expressly assert that his position on the issues he expressed
reflects the true position of the matters so reflected.”
Okonkwo said his comments were based on information
allegedly provided by Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant
from Anambra state, and other party members.
According to the letter, Ohaegbu approached Okonkwo to help
recover N10 million he allegedly paid to the party during the nomination
process.
The lawyers claimed Ohaegbu believed he had secured the
ticket after making the payment, but was later directed to participate in
direct primaries.
The response further alleged that Ohaegbu held Obi
responsible for the development and encouraged Okonkwo to publicise the matter.
Okonkwo’s legal team also referenced complaints allegedly
made by other aspirants, including OAU Onyema, a former senatorial hopeful in
Enugu state.
The letter alleged that some aspirants paid various sums
during the screening and nomination process and later felt misled by party
officials.
The lawyers argued that Okonkwo acted within his rights as a
lawyer, public affairs analyst, and politician by drawing attention to the
complaints.
“Our Client stands by the truth of all he declared on
Channels TV,” the lawyers said.
“The whole idea of his speaking on Channels TV, which
information he received from the aspirants, NDC, and other Nigerians, is to
expose transactional politics, ticket racketeering, extortion of aspirants,
misleading representations, false pretense, undue influence and coercive
pressure.”
They also accused Obi’s camp of publishing Okonkwo’s
personal telephone number online after the pre-action letter was issued.
The lawyers described the publication as a breach of privacy
and alleged that it exposed their client to attacks and harassment.
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