A fresh chapter has emerged in the growing dispute between former presidential spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi after the former actor-turned-politician released alleged WhatsApp conversations he says support his controversial claims against the opposition leader.
The development comes days after Obi demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology over statements he described as defamatory.
The latest disclosures have intensified public attention on the disagreement, which now appears headed for a prolonged legal and political battle.
Alleged Messages Released
In a series of posts shared on social media, Okonkwo published screenshots of conversations he claimed were exchanged with a political aspirant identified as Obunike Ohaegbu.
According to Okonkwo, the conversations relate to concerns surrounding the conduct of candidate selection processes within the NDC and allegations that aspirants were required to make financial payments linked to party nominations.
The former spokesperson argued that the messages raised questions about how certain candidates emerged and whether established procedures were followed during the process.
Obi Demands N5 Billion Damages
The release of the alleged chats follows a legal notice issued by Peter Obi’s lawyers.
In the letter, Obi’s legal team accused Okonkwo of making false and damaging allegations that harmed his reputation and public standing.
The lawyers demanded an immediate retraction, a public apology and payment of N5 billion in damages.
They also warned that failure to comply could result in legal action.
Okonkwo Stands By His Position
Despite the legal threat, Okonkwo insisted he would not withdraw his comments.
He maintained that he acted in the public interest and argued that citizens have a responsibility to speak out when they believe wrongdoing has occurred.
The politician further stated that he would formally respond to the legal notice after reviewing its contents.
He also suggested that any future court proceedings could provide an opportunity to present additional information relating to the allegations.
Political Fallout Continues
The dispute has attracted significant attention within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly because both men were previously political allies.
Observers say the disagreement highlights broader tensions within opposition politics as parties prepare for future electoral contests.
While supporters of both camps continue to debate the claims online, no court has made any determination regarding the allegations.
Focus Turns to Possible Legal Battle
With both sides standing firm, attention is now shifting to whether the disagreement will proceed to court.
Legal analysts note that any lawsuit could become one of the most closely watched political cases in the country due to the profile of the individuals involved.
For now, the controversy continues to generate reactions across political circles and social media platforms nationwide.