Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress and former governor of Anambra State, has dragged his former loyalist and kinsman, Kenneth Okonkwo, to court.

A suit made by Peter Obi’s legal counsel dated June 9, 2026, and signed by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co. (Madiba Chambers) described Okonkwo’s allegations as fabricated and damaging.

Recall that the Nollywood actor-turned-lawyer-and-politician, Okonkwo had alleged that Peter Obi and others had collected a bribe of N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants.

However, Peter’s legal team said the claim is false.

According to the legal document, Okonkwo stated in substance and effect:

“(a) That our client, Mr. Peter Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of ten million naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the caucus leaders;”

The document further outlines additional claims made by Okonkwo during the broadcast, noting his assertions:

“(b) that the said unlawful demand was accompanied by documentary proof; the person who relayed the information to you having sent the said information together with the receipt evidencing the payment;

(c) that our Client personally wrote and compiled the list of the party’s candidates from his hotel room at the Johnwood Hotel;

(d) that you warned the said aspirants that our Client is going to scam them;

(e) that our Client travels abroad to collect money from people; and

(f) that our Client and the leaders of the NDC in the South-East are perpetuating criminality.”

Rejecting the assertions, Obi’s legal team emphasized that the remarks directly target their client’s character, integrity, and public standing.

The chambers stated:

“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, organizes, 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. These are extremely grave, damaging, and reckless imputations of bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty, and criminality directed at the character, integrity, reputation, and public standing of our Client.”

The letter goes on to describe the public nature of the statements as particularly troubling due to their rapid amplification across digital channels.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our Client states categorically that the said allegations are false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory, and wholly unsupported by any fact. They were made with the clear intent and purpose of lowering our client in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, exposing him to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, and injuring his hard-earned reputation as a man of unquestionable integrity, a statesman, and a political leader. It is particularly disturbing that the said statements were made by you on live television and were thereafter republished, broadcast, and widely circulated through online and social media platforms, including video-sharing platforms, where such falsehoods spread rapidly and assume a life of their own. Your words were not mere political commentary. They crossed the permissible bounds of fair comment and constituted a direct assault on our Client’s person, integrity, image, and reputation.”

The law firm said that the right to freedom of expression does not permit the reckless destruction of another person’s reputation.

The firm’s listed demands require Okonkwo to immediately withdraw the defamatory statements in their entirety and publish a clear, unequivocal, and unreserved public apology to Peter Obi.

“This withdrawal and apology must be given equal prominence to the original broadcast and shared across all his social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Additionally, the legal team demanded a written undertaking that he will cease making or publishing further defamatory statements against their client, alongside a financial compensation package,” his legal team stated.

Recall that in the past days Okonkwo had launched accusations at Peter Obi after dumping the African Democratic Congress.

Okonkwo has not hidden his support for the presidential aspiration of Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, who emerged as the flagbearer of ADC ahead of the the 2027 general election.

A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Onus Igwe Nwankwo, has accused party officials of withholding the results of the party’s primary election for the Ohanivo Federal Constituency and warned against any attempt to alter the outcome of the exercise.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nwankwo claimed that the NDC primary election for the constituency was conducted on May 29 across the three local government areas of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, despite reported disruptions during the process.

According to him, delegates participated in the exercise and votes were cast, but the results were never publicly announced.

“The primary election took place. I participated in the election, my delegates participated, voting was conducted, and delegates exercised their democratic rights,” he said.

Nwankwo stated that he possesses video recordings and other materials documenting the conduct of the election, adding that the evidence has been preserved.

He expressed concern over the failure to officially declare the results, describing it as a threat to transparency and due process.

“In every credible democratic exercise, results must be openly declared in the presence of aspirants, agents, delegates and observers. The withholding of results creates uncertainty and opens the door to potential manipulation of the democratic process,” he said.

The aspirant further alleged that he had received credible information suggesting that efforts were being made to alter or substitute the genuine results of the primary election.

“I wish to state clearly that any result which differs from what was actually recorded at the polling locations across Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo will be challenged through all available lawful and party mechanisms,” he said.

Nwankwo called on the NDC Election Appeals Committee, National Working Committee and other party leaders to ensure transparent collation of votes and immediate public declaration of the authentic results.

He also urged the party to suspend the submission of candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until the results are properly collated and announced.

The aspirant additionally raised concerns over what he described as the concentration of both the Senate and House of Representatives tickets within the same ward and village in Onicha Community, warning that such an arrangement could generate feelings of exclusion among other parts of the constituency.

“Given the diversity of our constituency, equity, inclusiveness and balanced representation remain essential to party unity and electoral success,” he said.

Despite the dispute, Nwankwo reaffirmed his loyalty to the NDC, saying he remains committed to the party and its democratic ideals.

He also appealed to his supporters and residents of Ohanivo Federal Constituency to remain calm and peaceful while pursuing the matter through lawful channels.

“The people of Ohanivo have spoken through the democratic process, and I am confident that the leadership of the NDC will uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, justice and equity,” he added.

The NDC leadership had yet to publicly respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of several residents of Apa Local Government Area, including a health worker, Ojama Emie, who was reportedly beheaded by armed attackers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday through his Media Adviser, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, Moro described the incident as heartbreaking and condemned the continued attacks on communities across Benue South.

According to the senator, Ojama was ambushed and killed by armed men along the Ikobi-Olegogba road in Apa LGA, with the assailants allegedly severing and taking away his head. Other residents were also reportedly killed during the attack.

Moro lamented what he described as the worsening security situation in Benue South, saying communities in the district remain under constant threat from armed assailants.

He questioned why the killings have continued despite the presence of security agencies and called for urgent action from both the Benue State Government and relevant security authorities to halt the violence.

The lawmaker said he stands in solidarity with the people of Ikobi and the entire Apa Local Government Area during the difficult period and urged government at all levels to prioritize the protection of lives and property.

He stressed that residents deserve to live peacefully, sleep safely in their homes, and carry out their lawful activities without fear of attack.

Moro also extended his condolences to the family of Ojama Emie and other victims of the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of their souls.