Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has issued a demand for ₦5 billion in damages from actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo, citing alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview, according to a letter from Obi’s legal counsel.
In a letter dated 9th June, 2026, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), counsel to Obi, wrote to Okonkwo regarding comments made during an appearance on Channels Television’s _Sunrise Daily_ programme on 8th June, 2026.
According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly stated that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded a ₦10 million payment from aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets, after payment of the official expression of interest fee. The letter further states that Okonkwo claimed there was documentary evidence of the payment, including receipts.
Obi’s legal team described the statements in the letter as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.”
The letter states that the comments have damaged Obi’s reputation and public standing. It adds that the remarks “went beyond legitimate political criticism,” according to Obi’s lawyers.
The letter warns that if Okonkwo does not comply with the demands within the stipulated period, Obi “will have no option than to seek legal redress.” The potential legal action would include claims for damages, injunctive relief, a public retraction, an apology, and the cost of court proceedings, according to the letter.
As of the time of this report, Kenneth Okonkwo has not publicly responded to the letter.
