Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has reacted strongly to Peter Obi’s reported N5 billion defamation demand, challenging the former Labour Party presidential candidate to proceed with legal action and insisting he has nothing to fear from a court battle.
Okonkwo, who served as a spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, made his position known in a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, shortly after reports emerged that Obi had issued him a seven-day ultimatum to retract alleged defamatory statements.
The former Labour Party chieftain said he had become aware of a letter purportedly sent by Obi and his lawyers but had not yet had the opportunity to review its contents.
“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.
He further mocked the demand for damages, suggesting that if Obi needed financial support for his political ambitions, he should ask directly rather than pursue legal action.
“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,” he stated.
Okonkwo also claimed that during the 2023 election campaign, he personally shouldered some expenses while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.
According to him, he paid for flight tickets and hotel accommodation during several campaign engagements without seeking reimbursement.
“I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns,” he said.
The actor-turned-politician further issued a warning to Obi’s legal team, suggesting that a court case could lead to the disclosure of information he acquired while working closely with the former presidential candidate.
“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,” he wrote.
Okonkwo argued that taking a former spokesperson to court over alleged defamation was a poor decision and urged Obi and his lawyers not to back down from the legal threat.
“Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he stated.
He added that he would provide a detailed response after reviewing the letter but maintained that he was ready to defend himself in court if necessary.
“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,” he said.