N5bn Defamation Row Deepens as Okonkwo Releases Chats against Obi

Former presidential campaign spokesperson and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has released alleged WhatsApp conversations to support claims of financial impropriety during the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) nomination process. Okonkwo alleged that presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some party leaders were involved in the collection of money from aspirants seeking the party’s tickets. […]

Former presidential campaign spokesperson and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has released alleged WhatsApp conversations to support claims of financial impropriety during the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) nomination process.

Okonkwo alleged that presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some party leaders were involved in the collection of money from aspirants seeking the party’s tickets.

The publication of the chats came after Obi’s legal team demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology over the allegations, describing them as defamatory and threatening further legal action.

Okonkwo had earlier alleged that House of Representatives aspirants paid N10 million each while senatorial aspirants paid N20 million each during the party’s candidate selection exercise.

According to him, the claims were based on information provided by an aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, who allegedly supplied details and receipts relating to the payments.

In a series of posts on his X account, Okonkwo shared screenshots of conversations he said took place between him and Ohaegbu.

He insisted that the exchanges supported his assertion that Obi was aware of the decisions taken during the primary election process.

He claimed that Ohaegbu informed him that party officials justified the payments by telling aspirants that the directives had the backing of Obi and caucus leaders associated with him.

The former spokesperson also published messages purportedly sent by Ohaegbu in which concerns were raised over the conduct of the nomination exercise in Anambra State.

According to the messages, questions were asked about how candidate lists allegedly emerged without consultations, negotiations or consensus meetings involving aspirants and key stakeholders.

Defending his decision to make the allegations public, Okonkwo maintained that he was acting within his obligations as both a citizen and a legal practitioner.

“Let me make it clear that as a citizen and a Lawyer, I have a duty to disclose every crime against the state that comes within my knowledge,” he wrote.

He added that citizens should not remain silent when confronted with information suggesting possible wrongdoing.

Okonkwo also dismissed the demands contained in the letter issued by Obi’s lawyers.

He said he had yet to study the document in detail but would respond through the appropriate channels after reviewing it.

He further stated that any legal proceedings arising from the dispute could result in the disclosure of information obtained during his period as one of Obi’s political associates and spokespersons.

The dispute marks the latest chapter in the breakdown of the relationship between both men, who were once political allies in the buildup to the 2023 elections.