Okonkwo Rejects Obi’s Demand for Apology, Insists on Allegations Over NDC Primaries
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has rejected a demand by Peter Obi for a retraction and apology over comments concerning the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary elections.
Okonkwo, in a response to a pre-action notice issued by Obi, maintained that he would not withdraw remarks made during a recent appearance on Channels Television, insisting that his comments were based on complaints allegedly brought to him by party aspirants and other sources.
The dispute arose from allegations made by Okonkwo during an interview on Sunrise Daily, where he claimed that some NDC aspirants were asked to pay money to secure party tickets.
Following the interview, Obi, through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a pre-action letter demanding a public retraction, apology and N5 billion in damages, describing the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.
However, in a reply dated June 16 and signed by his solicitors, Supreme God Chambers, Okonkwo denied defaming the former Anambra governor.
“The kernel of your letter is that our Client defamed your Client through the interview on Channels Television on 8 June 2026,” the lawyers stated.
“Our Client denies that he defamed your Client in any manner whatsoever and expressly asserts that his position on the issues he expressed reflects the true position of the matters so reflected.”
Okonkwo’s legal team said the comments were based on information allegedly provided by Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant from Anambra State, as well as other party members.
According to the letter, Ohaegbu approached Okonkwo seeking assistance in recovering N10 million he allegedly paid during the party’s nomination process. The lawyers claimed Ohaegbu believed he had secured the party 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 urged Okonkwo to bring the matter to public attention.
Okonkwo’s lawyers also cited complaints allegedly made by other aspirants, including OAU Onyema, a former senatorial aspirant in Enugu State. They claimed some aspirants paid various sums during screening and nomination processes but later felt misled by party officials.
The legal team argued that Okonkwo acted within his rights as a lawyer, politician and public affairs analyst by highlighting the complaints.
“Our Client stands by the truth of all he declared on Channels TV,” the lawyers stated, adding that his objective was to expose what they described as transactional politics, ticket racketeering, extortion of aspirants, misleading representations and undue influence in the political process.
The lawyers also accused Obi’s camp of publishing Okonkwo’s personal telephone number online after the pre-action letter was issued. They described the alleged publication as a breach of privacy that exposed their client to harassment and attacks.
The matter remains unresolved as both sides continue to maintain their positions.
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