Defamation: “Suing Your Ex-Spokesperson Is Unwise; I’ll Divulge Confidential Information” – Okonkwo Replies Obi

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says he may be forced to divulge confidential information if Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), files a lawsuit against him over alleged defamation.

In a series of posts via X, to the lawsuit threat from Obi, Okonkwo said it is “very unwise” for anyone to sue their former spokesperson for defamation.

Obi, as presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the 2023 vote, was an ally of Okonkwo, who served as one of the spokespersons for the campaign council.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and the south-east caucus of the NDC demanded bribes from house of representatives and senate hopefuls of the party in return for tickets.

The ADC chieftain alleged that Obunike Ohaegbu, NDC aspirant for house of representatives ticket in Anambra, sent in a message alleging Obi scammed him to the tune of N10 million.

On Tuesday, Ohaegbu appeared on the same television programme to deny allegations that Obi collected N10 million as bribe from him.

The house of representatives aspirant said he paid N10 million to the NDC bank account based on the information he received from the party’s national secretary and not to Obi.

Subsequently, Obi threatened a lawsuit against Okonkwo over alleged defamatory comments, while demanding the sum of N5 billion “as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the grave injury occasioned to his hard-earned reputation”.

In a series of X posts, the ADC chieftain published screenshots of WhatsApp conversations with a contact saved as “Obunike Ohaegbu”.

The Nollywood actor doubled down on the allegations, adding that Ohaegbu told him he had been scammed during the NDC primaries and that the party held Obi responsible for the scenario.

He added that Obi would be best served asking him for financial assistance for his 2027 presidential campaign instead of threatening a N5 billion lawsuit.

The ADC chieftain dared Obi and his counsel to take the matter to 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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