Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has threatened to reveal confidential information from his time as spokesperson for Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections.
Okonkwo served in that role when Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
This warning follows a legal challenge from Obi’s team, which is seeking N5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo after he accused Obi and certain South-East leaders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) of collecting N10 million and N20 million from House of Representatives and senatorial aspirants, respectively, during party primaries.
In response to the lawsuit, Okonkwo stated on X on Wednesday that if Obi needed campaign funds, he should have asked for help privately rather than attempting what he described as “extortion.”
Okonkwo claimed that he personally contributed to Obi’s 2023 campaign by covering his own travel and lodging expenses.
Okonkwo cautioned that Obi’s legal team would be held accountable for any fallout from the case, warning that he might disclose sensitive information he previously kept private for ethical reasons.
He wrote: “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 N5b. 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.”
He further added, “I have not read the letter. Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone. My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise.”
Concluding his post, Okonkwo challenged Obi to follow through with the litigation, stating, “I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his Lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers.”
