Kenneth Okonkwo: Obi’s Lawsuit Against Me Based on Statements I Never Made

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign, has dismissed the defamation suit instituted against him by Peter Obi, describing it as being founded on statements he never made.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo maintained that the legal action lacked merit, arguing that a defamation case must be based on remarks that were actually made and shown to have damaged a person’s reputation.

The dispute stems from comments Okonkwo made in June, when he alleged on Channels Television that Obi and the South-East caucus of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) demanded bribes from aspirants seeking the party’s House of Representatives and Senate tickets.

He further claimed that Obunike Ohaegbu, an aspirant for the House of Representatives ticket in Anambra State, had informed him that Obi defrauded him of ₦10 million.

However, Ohaegbu later appeared on the same television programme to refute the allegation, clarifying that although he paid ₦10 million into the NDC’s bank account, the payment was made based on instructions from the party’s National Secretary and not to Obi personally.

Following the development, Obi threatened legal action against Okonkwo, demanding ₦5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages for what he described as serious harm to his reputation.

The former Anambra State governor said the lawsuit was intended not only to address the alleged defamatory statements but also to prevent further damaging remarks.

“I sued Kenneth not because of what he said, but because of the things he said he would still say that would be worse. We cannot continue to preach what we do not practise,” Obi said.

He added, “If anyone has evidence of wrongdoing that should disqualify me from becoming President of Nigeria, let them present it. Okonkwo claimed he had information that would end Peter Obi. This is the time to bring forward whatever evidence exists and prove it.”

Responding to Obi’s remarks, Okonkwo insisted he never claimed to possess information that would “destroy” the former presidential candidate.
“I never said anything about destroying him,” he stated.

“He had already commenced the legal process before I made the comments now being referenced. When you’re dealing with Peter Obi, it is important to put everything in writing. What I said is available on my X handle.”

According to Okonkwo, his post simply argued that it was unwise for Obi to sue a former spokesperson because, in defending himself, confidential information could emerge during legal proceedings.

“I said it is unwise for you to sue your spokesperson because, in defending himself, he may divulge confidential information,” he explained.

Okonkwo also disputed the public narrative surrounding Obi’s ₦5 billion damages claim, noting that the amount was first contained in a pre-action notice and not introduced by the court.

“The ₦5 billion did not originate from the court. It was contained in the pre-action notice. The court process is simply a means of pursuing what was already demanded,” he said.

He further accused Obi of misrepresenting both the facts and the legal process relating to the dispute, insisting that the defamation case was based on words he never uttered.