The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television interview.

Obi, through his lawyers led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), also threatened legal action if the demands are not met within seven days.

In a letter dated June 9, 2026, the former Anambra State governor’s legal team accused Okonkwo of making false and malicious allegations against Obi during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.

According to the lawyers, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and some NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a N10 million bribe from aspirants seeking election into the House of Representatives after paying the party’s official expression of interest fees.

The letter further claimed that Okonkwo alleged there was documentary evidence of the payments, that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidates’ list from a hotel room, collected money from individuals abroad and engaged in criminal activities alongside other party leaders.

Obi’s legal team argued that the allegations portrayed their client as a person involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial misconduct and criminal conspiracy.

“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money,” the letter stated.

The lawyers described the claims as false, baseless, malicious and defamatory, insisting that they were unsupported by any credible evidence.

They demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements, publish an unequivocal apology with equal or greater prominence than the original publication and pay N5 billion as general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

The letter also requested a written undertaking that he would refrain from making further allegedly defamatory statements about Obi.

It warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal proceedings seeking damages, public retraction, injunctive reliefs and legal costs.

Reacting in a statement posted on his X handle, Okonkwo dismissed the demand and mocked the claim for damages.

“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 N5bn. Hahaha! If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him,” he wrote.

Okonkwo said he had not yet reviewed the letter and would respond formally after reading it.

He also suggested that any court action could lead to the disclosure of information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.

“Anyone who decides to sue his former spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he added.