Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has reacted sharply to a reported ₦5 billion defamation demand from Peter Obi, warning that a court case could lead to the exposure of private information linked to their past political engagement.
The dispute escalated after Obi threatened legal action over comments made by Okonkwo during a television interview, where he alleged irregularities involving ticket sales and campaign processes within the political structure they once worked in.
In a series of posts on X, Okonkwo argued that pursuing a lawsuit against someone who previously served as a spokesperson in a campaign setting was a strategic error. He wrote, “It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!”
He further suggested that the matter could have been resolved privately, adding, “If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help.”
Okonkwo also signaled that his restraint had limits, stating, “Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone.”
He insisted that confidentiality expectations could shift if the dispute proceeds legally, adding, “My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise.”
The comments followed allegations made by Okonkwo during a Channels Television interview, where he claimed that individuals within the political structure demanded payments from aspirants in exchange for party tickets. The claims were later challenged by Obunike Ohaegbu, a House of Representatives aspirant, who said he made payments based on instructions from party officials and not directly to Obi.
Okonkwo concluded by reiterating his readiness for legal confrontation, saying he had not yet fully reviewed the legal letter but would respond when he does, while maintaining that proceeding to court would be a misstep for Obi.
