Kenneth Okonkwo Faces Fresh Lawsuit, As Former Imo Governor Drags Him To Court

Former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, has slammed a lawsuit against a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo.

Naija News understands that Okonkwo, in a television interview, had accused the governor of alleged extortion of aspirants seeking elective positions under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said, “This is why the NDC released a statement that it is only the South East caucus of the party that was involved in such problems.

“Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of the South East caucus were busy extorting the South East aspirants”.

Responding, Udenwa’s legal counsel, Soronnadi A. Njoku (SAN) demanded a retraction, a public apology and ₦5 billion in damages.

Meanwhile, Obi has responded to recent criticism from his former ally, Kenneth Okonkwo.

Naija News recalls that Okonkwo had alleged that Peter Obi and some South-East political leaders demanded or received money, about ₦10 million, from political aspirants in exchange for party tickets.

He also made claims during a television interview, alleging financial irregularities and bribery related to ticket distribution in Obi’s political camp.

In response, Obi’s legal team dismissed the claims as false and defamatory and demanded ₦5 billion in damages plus a public apology, threatening a lawsuit if Okonkwo does not retract them.

Speaking during an interview on NoireTV, Obi dismissed allegations that he engages in unlawful or unethical political behaviour, insisting that his actions have always followed rules and proper guidelines.

“I can never act rascally. I have never been known as someone who operates rascally; I always operate within the rules and guidelines,” he said.

He added that people are free to say whatever they want about him, but maintained that he will not be part of the kind of practices he has long spoken against.

“It is easy for anyone to say anything against me, but the fact remains that I will never be part of what I am trying to change,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor also said that if he had intended to engage in wrongdoing, he would have done so while in office, instead of leaving public service with a clean record.

“If I wanted that, I would have done it when I left office as governor and taken all the money like any other person,” he added.