Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala has weighed in on the growing public dispute between Peter Obi and his former campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, describing the controversy as one that continues to generate fresh allegations.
Bwala made the remarks in a reaction posted on social media following the exchange between Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Okonkwo over an alleged defamatory publication.
“Kenneth Okwuonkwo also said that @PeterObi is a political scammer. That he tells people I don’t give shishi but goes to diaspora and collects shishi,” Bwala wrote.
He further referenced longstanding discussions surrounding donations allegedly received during Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.
“Recall that when Peter Obi said he accounted for monies he received for his campaign, he was reported to have only mentioned the Nigeria Naira, that till date he has not account for forex he collect all over the world in the name of the campaign. It’s like pilling garbage layer by layer,” he added.
Bwala’s intervention comes amid a legal dispute triggered by a demand letter sent by Obi to Okonkwo over comments the former Labour Party chieftain allegedly made against him.
On Tuesday, Obi, through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a seven-day ultimatum to Okonkwo, demanding the withdrawal of what he described as false, malicious and defamatory statements.
The legal letter also reportedly demanded a public apology and N5 billion in damages for the alleged injury caused to Obi’s reputation.
The letter, which has circulated widely online, was titled: “Demand for Immediate Withdrawal of False, Malicious and Defamatory Publications Against Mr. Peter Obi, Public Apology and Undertaking.”
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo said he had only become aware of the letter through online reports and had not yet read its contents.
“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!” Okonkwo wrote on his X account.
“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.”
The former spokesperson also claimed he personally covered some expenses while serving in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and described the legal action as misguided.
Okonkwo further challenged Obi to proceed with the lawsuit, maintaining that suing a former spokesperson for defamation was “very unwise.”
