African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has refused to withdraw allegations he made against former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, despite mounting legal pressure and demands for evidence.
Okonkwo made his position clear during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, where he insisted he stood by his earlier claims. The interview follows an ₦8 billion defamation suit filed by Obi over comments made in June 2026.
“I stand by what I said,” Okonkwo declared, maintaining that his remarks were based on information from aggrieved political aspirants and matters of public interest.
The controversy deepened this week with a separate ₦5 billion lawsuit filed by former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, who was also mentioned in the disputed remarks. Okonkwo has framed the legal actions as attempts to silence him rather than address the substance of his claims.
During the interview, Okonkwo expanded his criticism beyond the allegations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign ahead of the 2027 elections. He argued that the current administration’s performance did not justify seeking another mandate.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral system, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “is not neutral yet,” and warned that opposition fragmentation could affect future electoral outcomes.
Okonkwo’s comments reflect his continued hardline stance since his exit from the Labour Party in 2024 and subsequent alignment with the ADC. He has remained vocal in national political discourse, particularly on issues relating to opposition strategy and governance.
The latest developments set the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle, as tensions between the former allies continue to escalate ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
