(Peter Obi(R) and Kenneth Okonkwo(L). Photo by Daily Post)
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has reiterated his resolve to pursue a defamation suit against Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, over corruption allegations tied to the party’s primary elections.
Obi made this disclosure on Tuesday during an exclusive online interview.
It would be recalled that the Nollywood veteran turned politician had, in a television appearance, alleged that aspirants for House of Representatives seats were forced to pay N10 million in bribes to secure their tickets while Obi was in charge.
The lawyer further claimed that one aspirant privately described the former governor as the mastermind behind the alleged extortion scheme, branding him the head, stomach, and feet of the criminal network.
Okonkwo also accused Obi of handpicking certain candidates who neither participated in nor won the primaries, allegedly at a hotel in Abuja.
Responding to the allegations during the interview, Obi explained that the legal action would not have been necessary had Okonkwo limited himself to the initial claims.
He noted, however, that Okonkwo insisted there was more he intended to expose about him in the future.
He added that he welcomed the opportunity for the matter to be tested in court, stating that this would allow Okonkwo, and indeed any other Nigerian with genuine criminal allegations against him, to present such claims publicly through the appropriate legal channel.
