Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has demanded a retraction of an allegation made against him by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the President, or face a N5 billion defamation and libel lawsuit.
On July 20, 2024, Onanuga claimed on his X handle (formerly Twitter) @aonanuga1956 that “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”
Obi, through his counsel Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of MADIBA Chambers, condemned the allegation as baseless and damaging to his reputation. The accusation was widely circulated on social and mainstream media, portraying Obi as someone who condones violence, which contradicts his known stance against it.
Ejesieme stated, “Our client believes the publication was a calculated attempt to demean, ridicule, humiliate, and embarrass him in the eyes of the public.”
The letter continued that the defamatory statement has caused significant emotional distress to Obi and tarnished his longstanding reputation for peaceful conduct in both private and public life.
Obi has demanded a retraction and an unreserved apology within 72 hours of receiving the letter, to be published in four national dailies—Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and the Cable—and on Onanuga’s verified X account.
Additionally, Obi is seeking N5 billion in damages for the embarrassment caused by the defamatory publication. Ejesieme warned that failure to comply with these demands would result in legal action for defamation and libel.
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