By Mokobia Rita.
ABUJA/Nigeria: Renowned actor-turned-politician and legal practitioner, Kenneth Okonkwo, has escalated his corruption allegations against the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, releasing what he described as documentary evidence to support claims of financial extortion and irregularities during the party’s primary election process.
The latest development comes amid a brewing legal battle following reports that Obi’s legal team issued a pre-action notice threatening a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Okonkwo over remarks he made during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
Rather than retreat in the face of the legal threat, Okonkwo on Wednesday published excerpts of alleged conversations with Obunike Ohaegbu, a former NDC House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State, which he claims provide insight into how party aspirants were allegedly compelled to make substantial financial payments before participating in primary elections.
According to Okonkwo, the conversations indicate that House of Representatives aspirants were allegedly required to pay N10 million, while Senate aspirants were expected to pay N20 million before the conduct of the primaries.
The former Labour Party chieftain alleged that Ohaegbu privately identified Obi as the central figure behind the controversial arrangements, despite later moderating his public criticism of the party.
“In all honesty, I cannot even say everything this man told me about Peter Obi just to preserve what remains of Peter Obi’s reputation,” Okonkwo stated.
He further claimed that when he asked Ohaegbu whether Obi was the leader of those allegedly involved in the scheme, the aspirant reportedly described Obi as “the head, stomach and feet” of the operation.
Okonkwo also released portions of the alleged exchanges in which Ohaegbu expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as irregularities in the candidate selection process in Anambra State.
According to the conversations, concerns were raised about a purported list of candidates allegedly compiled at Johnwood Hotel in Abuja, which reportedly featured individuals who either lost their primary elections or did not participate in the contests at all.
Among those cited in the allegations was Victor Umeh, whose name allegedly appeared on the final candidate list despite questions raised over the outcome of the primary process.
Okonkwo argued that the allegations go beyond internal party disputes and touch on fundamental issues of transparency, accountability and democratic integrity.
He maintained that if candidates who did not emerge victorious in duly conducted primaries were eventually selected through unofficial arrangements, it would raise serious concerns about the credibility of the party’s nomination process.
In a further attempt to substantiate his claims, Okonkwo referenced previous clarifications reportedly made by Seriake Dickson regarding the party’s financial guidelines.
According to him, aspirants were only expected to purchase Expression of Interest forms, while nomination fees were to be paid solely by candidates who emerged victorious in the primaries.
He argued that any additional financial demands made before the conclusion of the primaries would fall outside the party’s established procedures and should be subjected to scrutiny.
Okonkwo also claimed that Ohaegbu informed him that when aspirants sought clarification from the party’s national leadership concerning the alleged payments, they were directed to the state caucus and party leaders associated with Obi.
Describing the matter as one of national importance, the lawyer called on anti-corruption agencies and security institutions to launch a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“As a citizen and a lawyer, I have a duty to disclose any crime against the state that comes within my knowledge,” he stated, urging authorities to investigate the claims and ensure restitution for any aspirants who may have suffered financial losses.
The allegations have further heightened tensions within opposition political circles and are expected to fuel renewed debates over transparency and accountability in party administration ahead of future electoral contests.
With a N5 billion defamation threat hanging in the background and fresh allegations now backed by documents released by Okonkwo, attention is shifting to the NDC leadership and relevant investigative agencies as political observers await their response to the growing controversy.
