‘The Hypocrite, Peter Obi Wants Me To Pay ₦5 Billion – Okonkwo

Veteran Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has reacted to reports that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, is demanding ₦5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory remarks.

Naija News reports that Okonkwo, in a statement posted on 𝕏 on Wednesday, mocked the reported legal action and suggested that Obi was seeking funds for political campaigns.

The former Obi campaign spokesman said if Obi needed money for political activities, he should ask him privately rather than resort to what he described as extortion.

Okonkwo said he became aware of a letter circulating online from Obi and his lawyers demanding ₦5 billion.

He said, “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 ₦5 billion. Hahaha!.

“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.”

The actor-turned-politician further alleged that he personally funded some expenses during his time as Obi’s spokesperson.

He claimed that the expenses included flight tickets and hotel accommodation for campaign activities. Okonkwo said he had not yet read the demand letter but warned that any legal action could compel him to disclose information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.

According to him, he had refrained from revealing confidential information out of principle. He, however, suggested that such restraint could change if the matter proceeded to court.

Okonkwo challenged Obi and his legal team to pursue the matter, insisting that he was ready to respond after reviewing the letter.

He said he would formally reply to the demand letter after reading it.