Kenneth Okonkwo Warns Peter Obi Against Legal Action, Threatens To Reveal Secrets

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has responded to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Okonkwo warned that Obi’s lawsuit against him could lead to the release of information he obtained while serving as his spokesperson.

The former Labour Party campaign spokesman made the remarks in a series of posts on X, where he described it as a mistake for any politician to sue a former spokesperson over allegations of defamation.

Kenneth Okonkwo and Peter Obi were political allies during the 2023 presidential election.

At the time, Obi contested under the Labour Party while Okonkwo served as one of the campaign spokespersons.

The dispute stems from comments Okonkwo made during a recent interview on Channels Television.

During the programme, he alleged that Obi and members of the party’s South-East leadership demanded money from aspirants seeking tickets for the Senate and House of Representatives elections.

He specifically referred to Obunike Ohaegbu, an aspirant from Anambra State, claiming that Ohaegbu had accused Obi of collecting N10 million from him during the party’s primary process.

However, Ohaegbu later appeared on the same television station and denied making such an allegation.

He explained that the N10 million payment was made into the party’s official account based on instructions from the party’s national secretary and not directly to Obi.

Following the interview, Obi, through his lawyers, threatened N5 billion lawsuit against Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements that harmed his reputation.

In response, Okonkwo shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations with a contact saved as Obunike Ohaegbu and maintained his position on the matter.

He insisted that Ohaegbu had previously expressed concerns about being defrauded during the party’s primary election process and had blamed the party leadership.

The actor-turned-politician also mocked the demand for N5 billion, stressing that Obi should seek support for his political ambitions rather than threaten legal action.

Okonkwo further stated that while he has refrained from disclosing confidential information acquired during his time as a spokesperson, he may be compelled to do so if the dispute ends up in court.

“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!,” Okonkwo wrote.

“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.

“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.”

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