Former Labour Party presidential candidate, , has demanded ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from his former ally, , over alleged defamatory statements made against him.
According to reports, Obi, through his legal representatives led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Alex Ejesieme, issued a formal demand letter accusing Okonkwo of making comments that allegedly tarnished his reputation and public image.
The legal team described the statements as false, malicious, and damaging, insisting that they had the potential to mislead members of the public and undermine Obi’s standing as a respected political figure.
In the letter, Obi reportedly demanded an immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory remarks, a public and unreserved apology to be published on various media platforms, and the payment of ₦5 billion as compensation for the alleged reputational damage caused by the statements.
The former Anambra State governor also reportedly gave Okonkwo a specified period to comply with the demands, warning that failure to do so could result in legal proceedings.
The dispute marks a significant deterioration in the relationship between the two men, who were once close political associates during the 2023 general election campaign. Okonkwo had served as a prominent spokesperson and supporter of Obi’s presidential bid under the Labour Party before their political relationship became strained.
In recent months, Okonkwo has publicly criticized Obi’s political decisions and leadership approach, leading to growing tensions between both figures. The latest legal action appears to be the strongest response yet from Obi to the criticisms.
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