The South East Progressives Forum, SEPF, has criticized the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, for initiating a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against his former spokesman and ally, Kenneth Okonkwo.
The Forum, in a statement signed by head of its media unit, Paul Anigbogu, on Monday, accused the former Anambra State governor of attempting to intimidate and silence Okonkwo for leaving him to align with another presidential candidate.
Recall that Obi’s lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme, SAN had sent a pre-action notice to Okonkwo on June 9, 2026, accusing him of making malicious and defamatory remarks against the NDC presidential candidate.
Obi’s lawyers who claimed that the remarks made by Okonkwo damaged the reputation of their client, threatened to file N5 billion defamation lawsuit against the former Nollywood if he failed to withdraw his allegations against the NDC presidential candidate, pay N5 billion compensation and tender a public apology within seven days.
Replying through his own lawyers, Okonkwo said he would not retract his words, maintaining that he spoke after receiving briefs from NDC aspirants who were defrauded and extorted by the NDC caucus headed by Obi.
Speaking on the development, SEPF lambasted the NDC presidential candidate for parading himself on the one hand as a democrat, but on the other hand, overly sensitive and easily offended when criticized by opponents.
According to the group, the threat by Obi to sue his former spokesman for N5 billion has shown his phobia for criticism and deep aversion for
