Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Former Labour Party chieftain and actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has rejected a pre-action notice reportedly issued by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding a retraction and apology over statements relating to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary elections
In a
response through his legal representatives, Okonkwo's camp reportedly
challenged Obi's position, urging the former Anambra State governor to uphold
what they described as his publicly professed commitment to free speech and
democratic engagement.
The
lawyers argued that public figures should be open to scrutiny and criticism,
particularly when such comments are made during public discussions on radio and
television platforms. They further maintained that the statements made by their
client were based on matters of public interest and should not be interpreted
as grounds for intimidation or suppression of dissenting opinions.
The
development follows reports that Obi's legal team accused Okonkwo of making
defamatory allegations and sought a formal retraction as well as an apology.
However,
Okonkwo has reportedly insisted that he possesses evidence to support his
claims and has expressed readiness to defend his statements if the matter
proceeds through legal channels.
As of the
time of filing this report, Peter Obi has not publicly responded to the latest
remarks from Okonkwo's legal team beyond the pre-action notice already issued.
The
dispute marks another chapter in the growing political disagreement between the
former allies, whose relationship has deteriorated in recent months amid
differing views on political developments and leadership within opposition
circles.
The
allegations and counter-allegations remain subject to proof, and no court has
made any findings regarding the claims raised by either party.
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