Defamation Suit: Peter Obi Dares Kenneth Okonkwo to Present Evidence

Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to pull out of the 2027 general elections should actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo provide any material proving him unsuitable for public service. This declaration follows a defamation lawsuit initiated by Obi against Mr. Okonkwo, who recently assumed the role of spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The former governor of Anambra State openly challenged Okonkwo to make public all alleged detrimental information he claims to possess concerning him. Obi articulated this pledge during an interaction with media personality Chude Jideonwo. He clarified that his legal action against Okonkwo was not an attempt to stifle his voice but rather to compel him to provide proof for his frequent allegations.

The NDC presidential aspirant emphasized that the Nigerian populace has a right to be aware of the genuine character and history of any individual aspiring to public office prior to their election. Obi stated, “I want Kenneth Okonkwo to bring out all the ‘hidden things’ that he has on me. If I am not qualified after his revelation, then I’ll stop running for the election.”

According to Obi, Okonkwo had on multiple occasions asserted that he held sensitive details about him, dating back to when Okonkwo served as his media aide. Addressing criticisms suggesting the lawsuit aimed to suppress free speech, the politician, who hails from Anambra, maintained that the primary objective of the legal action was to force Okonkwo to disclose any evidence he purports to possess.

He further elaborated, saying, “Kenneth Okonkwo said, as my spokesperson, he had so many hidden things that if he’s provoked or sued, he will bring them out. And that’s the only thing I’m suing him for—to bring those things out.”