Okonkwo Releases Alleged Evidence Against Obi, as Ohaegbu Denies Claims

Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has intensified his allegations against the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC Peter Obi and some Southeast political leaders, releasing what he describes as documentary evidence to support claims that aspirants were asked to make payments during party primary processes.

This comes amid a legal dispute between Okonkwo and Obi, whose legal team threatened a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit over remarks made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

He wrote “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.

“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.””

In a series of posts shared on Wednesday, Okonkwo alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were pressured to pay ₦10 million, while Senate aspirants were allegedly required to pay ₦20 million during the party’s primary election process.

To support his claims, Okonkwo published excerpts of conversations he said he had with Obunike Ohaegbu, a former House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency. According to Okonkwo, Ohaegbu had privately accused Obi and other party leaders of overseeing the alleged collection of funds from aspirants.

Okonkwo further claimed that Ohaegbu questioned the legitimacy of candidate lists allegedly prepared outside the official primary election process, arguing that some individuals who did not win primaries were eventually recognised as candidates.

The former spokesperson also called on anti-corruption and security agencies to investigate the party’s financial dealings during the primary election period, insisting that affected aspirants deserve restitution if any wrongdoing is established.

However, the allegations have been strongly disputed by Ohaegbu himself on Channels Television Sunrise Daily programme.

In a public clarification issued after Okonkwo’s claims gained attention, Ohaegbu denied ever telling Okonkwo that Peter Obi requested Southeast House of Representatives aspirants to contribute ₦10 million to support any presidential ambition.

“Kenneth Okonkwo lied. I never told him Peter Obi asked us (South-East House of Representatives aspirants) to pay ₦10 million to fund his 2027 presidential campaign,” Ohaegbu stated.