The South East Progressives Forum (SEPF) has criticized the decision of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to institute a defamation suit against Kenneth Okonkwo, describing the move as an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate a former political ally.
Key Highlights
- SEPF condemns Peter Obi’s proposed N5 billion defamation suit against Kenneth Okonkwo.
- Forum alleges the lawsuit is aimed at silencing criticism and political dissent.
- Obi’s legal team demands retraction, apology, and N5 billion compensation.
- Kenneth Okonkwo refuses to withdraw his statements.
- SEPF accuses Obi of intolerance toward criticism and cites previous legal disputes.
The controversy follows a pre-action notice issued on June 9, 2026, by Obi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Alex Ejesieme, accusing Okonkwo of making defamatory statements against the former Anambra State governor.
According to the notice, Obi’s lawyers alleged that comments made by Okonkwo damaged their client’s reputation and demanded that the former actor retract the statements, tender a public apology, and pay N5 billion in damages within seven days or face legal action.
However, Okonkwo, through his lawyers, declined to retract his remarks. He maintained that his comments were based on complaints and briefings he received from NDC aspirants who allegedly claimed they were defrauded and extorted during the party’s internal processes.
Reacting to the development, SEPF accused Obi of portraying himself as a democrat while allegedly showing intolerance toward criticism.
The group argued that the proposed defamation suit against Kenneth Okonkwo demonstrates what it described as Obi’s aversion to opposing views and freedom of expression.
According to SEPF, the legal threat reflects a pattern of behavior in which Obi allegedly resorts to litigation whenever he faces criticism from political opponents, activists, or media organizations.
The forum cited previous instances involving legal disputes with media platforms and public commentators.
Part of the statement read:
“In April 2023, he instructed his lawyers to act against a media organization over the leaked audio conversation with Bishop David Oyedepo. This was not the only occasion.”
The group also referenced Obi’s legal action against lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju in 2025, alleging that the former governor had previously pursued a N1.5 billion lawsuit over comments made on social media.
SEPF further accused Obi of being unwilling to accept criticism despite regularly criticizing political opponents.
“Obi has a thin skin for criticism. He criticizes others but does not want to be criticized. What sort of democrat is that?” the statement queried.
The forum also defended Okonkwo, insisting that his comments reflected concerns already circulating among party members and observers regarding the conduct of the NDC’s internal electoral processes.
SEPF warned that continued legal pressure on Okonkwo could prompt the group to publicly revisit Obi’s record as Governor of Anambra State.
Read also:
- Kenneth Okonkwo releases evidence of Obi, NDC leaders demanding payments from aspirants
- Peter Obi demands N5bn damages, public apology from Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamation
- Kenneth Okonkwo accuses Peter Obi of betrayal
The organization specifically alleged that Obi failed to conduct local government elections for much of his tenure, instead governing local councils through caretaker committees.
“We will reveal all his autocratic antecedents, including how he allegedly stifled grassroots democracy by refusing to conduct local government elections for most of his eight years in office,” the forum stated.
The dispute has added a new dimension to the growing political tensions surrounding the NDC and could further intensify debate over accountability, internal party democracy, and freedom of expression ahead of the next electoral cycle.
