A publicity maker for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, may be struggling in a pool of political suffocation of N5 billion libel suit from Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the buildup to the 2027 general elections.

Okonkwo incurred the wrath of Obi from defamatory statements he made in Television interview, disseminating false information against the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Alex Ejesieme, SAN, counsel to Peter Obi, has written to Kenneth Okonkwo demanding ₦5 billion in damages.

Alex Ejesieme, SAN, in a letter dated June 9, 2026, alerted Okonkwo of his “false, malicious and defamatory” statements against the NDC 2027 presidential in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8.

Alex Ejesieme noted that Okonkwo, a lawyer and a Nollywood actor, purportedly stated that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a ₦10 million payment from aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets, after they have paid the official expression of interest and nomination fees. The Counsel further pointed out that Okonkwo stated that there was documentary evidence of the payment, including receipts.

The Counsel raised a point that Okonkwo also said that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warning aspirants that Obi would scam them; also said Obi travelled abroad to collect money from individuals, and that Obi and South-East NDC leaders were involved in criminal activities.

Alex Ejesieme articulated that the statements were “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.”

The Counsel to Peter Obi contended: “The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and is actively perpetuating criminality.”

Alex Ejesieme protested that the statements have damaged the reputation of Obi and his public standing. He asserted that the statements went beyond legitimate political criticism.

The Counsel to Obi, therefore, demanded Okonkwo to withdraw the statements within seven days, issue a public apology, and publish the apology through the same platforms where the comments were circulated, including television and social media channels.

While demanding ₦5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, Obi demands OPkonkwo to do a written undertaking that no further defamatory statements will be made against him, henceforth.

The Counsel issued Okonkwo 7 days ultimatum to comply with the demands, or Obi will have “no option than to seek legal redress” and pursue legal action, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and the cost of court proceedings.