Actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has dismissed a pre-litigation letter from the legal team of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, which demanded 5 billion Naira in damages for alleged defamation.
Okonkwo suggested that if the former Anambra State governor requires campaign funding, he should make a direct personal request rather than attempting to secure funds through legal means.
The letter of demands follows a television appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” program on Monday, June 8, 2026, where Okonkwo alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were coerced into paying a 10 million Naira bribe under Obi’s watch.
In response, Obi’s lawyers, led by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, issued a letter dated June 9, 2026, accusing Okonkwo of making false and malicious claims, demanding a public apology, and threatening a multi-billion Naira lawsuit.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo asked Obi to come out plain if he needs money for campaigns.
“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 N5b. 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. I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns.”
The former presidential spokesperson warned of potential consequences, adding that a lawsuit might compel him to disclose sensitive information gathered during his tenure working with Obi.
“I have not read the letter. Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone. My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise.”
“I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his Lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers. According to Obunike Ohaegbu, ‘I am Obunike Ohaegbu, aspirant for Nnewi North/Nnewi South Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and I am saying that I was scammed and the party blames PO.’”
According to the demand letter sent by Madiba Chambers, Okonkwo accused Obi and South-East regional party leaders of instituting unauthorized financial demands. The legal team noted that Okonkwo allegedly claimed that “Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.”
