Okonkwo Rejects Obi’s Demand for Apology, Insists on Allegations Over NDC Primaries

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has rejected a demand by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to retract and apologise over comments relating to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary elections.

Okonkwo, in a formal response to a pre-action notice issued by Obi, maintained that he would not withdraw remarks made during a recent appearance on Channels Television, insisting that his statements were based on complaints allegedly brought to him by party aspirants and other sources.

The dispute stems from allegations made by Okonkwo during an interview on Sunrise Daily, where he claimed that some NDC aspirants were allegedly asked to pay money to secure the party’s nomination tickets.

Following the interview, Obi, through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a pre-action letter demanding a public retraction, an apology, and ₦5 billion in damages, describing the allegations as false, malicious, and defamatory.

However, in a reply dated June 16 and signed by his solicitors, Supreme God Chambers, Okonkwo denied defaming the former presidential candidate.

“The kernel of your letter is that our Client defamed your Client through the interview on Channels Television on June 8, 2026,” the lawyers stated.

“Our Client denies that he defamed your Client in any manner whatsoever and expressly asserts that his position on the issues he expressed reflects the true position of the matters so reflected.”

Okonkwo’s legal team said the comments were based on information allegedly provided by Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant from Anambra State, as well as complaints from other party members.

According to the response, Ohaegbu approached Okonkwo seeking assistance in recovering ₦10 million he allegedly paid during the party’s nomination process. The lawyers claimed Ohaegbu believed he had secured the party’s ticket after making the payment but was later directed to participate in direct primaries.

The response further alleged that Ohaegbu held Obi responsible for the development and urged Okonkwo to bring the matter to public attention.

Okonkwo’s lawyers also cited complaints allegedly made by other aspirants, including OAU Onyema, a former senatorial aspirant in Enugu State. They claimed that some aspirants paid various sums during the screening and nomination processes but later felt misled by party officials.

The legal team argued that Okonkwo acted within his constitutional rights as a lawyer, politician, and public affairs analyst by bringing the complaints into the public domain.

“Our Client stands by the truth of all he declared on Channels TV,” the lawyers stated, adding that his objective was to expose what they described as transactional politics, ticket racketeering, extortion of aspirants, misleading representations, and undue influence in the political process.

The lawyers also accused Obi’s camp of publishing Okonkwo’s personal telephone number online after the pre-action notice was issued. They described the alleged action as a breach of privacy that exposed their client to harassment, intimidation, and unsolicited attacks.

The matter remains unresolved, with both parties maintaining their positions as the legal dispute appears headed for court.