Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he will withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if any evidence presented by Kenneth Okonkwo proves that he is unfit to lead Nigeria.
Obi made the statement during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo while responding to questions about his defamation lawsuit against Kenneth Okonkwo, his former spokesperson.
Okonkwo, who now serves as spokesperson to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has repeatedly claimed to possess damaging information about Obi from the period they worked together.
Addressing the controversy, Obi said the lawsuit was not an attempt to silence his former ally but a legal step aimed at compelling him to substantiate his allegations.
“I want Kenneth Okonkwo to bring out all the ‘hidden things’ that he has on me. If I am not qualified after his revelation, then I’ll stop running for the election,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that Nigerians have a right to know the character and background of anyone seeking the country's highest office.
He also dismissed suggestions that the legal action was intended to suppress free speech, insisting that he simply wanted Okonkwo to present the evidence he had repeatedly referenced.
“Kenneth Okonkwo said, as my spokesperson, he had so many hidden things that if he’s provoked or sued, he will bring them out. And that’s the only thing I’m suing him for—to bring those things out,” Obi stated.
Obi's comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with former allies now finding themselves on opposing sides of the political divide.
