Kenneth Okonkwo Releases Evidence, Rejects Obi’s N5bn Defamation Threat

The bitter public dispute between Peter Obi and former ally Kenneth Okonkwo escalated dramatically on Wednesday after the actor-turned-politician released what he described as documentary evidence to support allegations of bribery and irregularities within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The latest development came barely 24 hours after Obi demanded N5 billion in damages and threatened legal action over comments he described as defamatory. Rather than retract his statements, Okonkwo chose to intensify his defence.

Taking to his verified social media platforms, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain published alleged WhatsApp conversations and a payment receipt which he claimed were linked to complaints made by a former House of Representatives aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu.

According to Okonkwo, the materials support his earlier claim that aspirants seeking elective positions within the NDC paid substantial sums during the party’s candidate selection process.

The controversy began after Okonkwo alleged during a television interview that House of Representatives aspirants paid N10 million while senatorial aspirants paid N20 million. He further alleged that Peter Obi and influential leaders within the party’s South-East caucus played key roles in the process.

Obi, through his legal team, dismissed the allegations as false and defamatory, insisting that the comments amounted to an attack on his integrity and public reputation.

The former presidential candidate subsequently demanded a public apology, retraction and N5 billion in damages.

However, in a direct response to the legal threat, Okonkwo maintained that he was merely relaying information provided by Ohaegbu.

Sharing screenshots of alleged conversations, Okonkwo argued that the former aspirant had previously linked the disputed payments to decisions allegedly taken by party leaders.

“Obunike Ohaegbu, when I questioned him to prove that Peter Obi was responsible for demanding the N10 million from him and other House of Representatives aspirants and N20 million from Senate aspirants, he made it clear that when he confronted the party on who authorised the payment, the party named Peter Obi and the caucus leaders who were assembled by Peter Obi,” Okonkwo wrote.

He also published what he described as a payment receipt showing that money was paid into party accounts during the nomination process.

The release of the documents has further intensified public interest in the controversy, which has become one of the most discussed political disputes on social media.

However, questions remain over whether the documents conclusively establish the claims made by Okonkwo.

Ohaegbu himself had earlier denied telling Okonkwo that Obi personally demanded money from him.

The aspirant publicly stated that while concerns existed regarding the conduct of party primaries, he never accused Obi of personally collecting bribes.

The conflicting narratives have left observers awaiting further clarification and possible judicial intervention.

Legal analysts note that the dispute may ultimately hinge on whether the documents released by Okonkwo can substantiate his public allegations and whether the courts determine that his comments crossed the line from political criticism into actionable defamation.

With Obi standing by his legal demands and Okonkwo refusing to retreat, the confrontation appears headed for a prolonged legal and political battle that could have significant implications for both men ahead of the 2027 political season.