The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to proceed with a defamation lawsuit against a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations of corruption during the party’s primary elections.
Obi made the declaration on Tuesday during an exclusive interview hosted by Oseni Rufai.
Recall that the Nollywood veteran-turned-politician had, during an appearance on a national television programme, alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were compelled to pay a ₦10 million bribe under Obi’s watch to secure party tickets.
According to Okonkwo, one of the aspirants privately described the former Anambra State governor as the mastermind of the alleged extortion scheme, claiming that Obi was “the head, stomach, and feet” of the operation.
Okonkwo also accused Obi of handpicking candidates who either did not participate in or failed to win the party’s primaries at a hotel in Abuja.
Responding to the allegations during the interview, Obi said:
“The issue of taking Kenneth Okonkwo to court would not have arisen if he had stopped at those allegations. But he claimed that he still has more he intends to expose about me in the future.
“So, I am very happy to take him to court so that he can publicly present whatever evidence he has before Nigerians. If he, or anyone else, has any criminal allegations against me, they should bring them before the court.”
