Kenneth Okonkwo has escalated his confrontation with Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi by releasing what he claims are WhatsApp conversations that support his bribery allegations. Earlier this week, Okonkwo accused Obi and other NDC leaders in the South-East of demanding N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and N20 million from senatorial aspirants. He said aspirant Obunike Ohaegbu provided him with receipts and details of the alleged payments, which he has now made public.
Obi’s legal team swiftly responded, filing a lawsuit and demanding N5 billion in damages along with a public apology. In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), warned that higher damages could be sought if Okonkwo failed to comply. The former Anambra State governor has dismissed the allegations as false and damaging, framing them as an attack on his integrity and political standing.
Okonkwo, however, insists he has a duty as both a lawyer and citizen to expose what he describes as fraud. In the alleged chat excerpts, Ohaegbu expressed frustration with the NDC’s primary process, questioning how candidate lists were produced without proper consultation or consensus. Okonkwo argued that these revelations point directly to Obi’s involvement, adding that the South-East has suffered enough from political manipulation and must not be taken for granted.
The dispute has deepened tensions between the two former allies, who parted ways after Obi defected from the ADC to the NDC. Okonkwo has dismissed Obi’s legal demands for now, saying he has not yet formally reviewed the letter but will respond in due course. He also warned that any court proceedings could lead to further disclosures of sensitive information he obtained while serving as a spokesperson. The controversy highlights growing divisions within opposition politics and raises questions about transparency in party primaries as Nigeria heads toward future elections.
