Alleged Bribery: Kenneth Okonkwo Challenges Peter Obi, Saying Igbo Have Endured Enough

Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has sharpened his accusations against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging security and anti‑corruption agencies to probe alleged fraud involving the party’s aspirants.

Okonkwo’s latest comments came a day after Obi filed a legal action against his former ally, accusing NDC leaders of collecting N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Okonkwo said he had a civic and professional duty to expose alleged wrongdoing.

The actor‑turned‑politician claimed that several aspirants in the South‑East were victims of a fraudulent scheme and called for refunds to those affected.

He cited Obunike Ohaegbu, one of the aspirants, who alleged that NDC leaders had solicited money contrary to the party’s stated guidelines.

Okonkwo referenced comments allegedly made by Senator Seriake Dickson, who he said clarified that aspirants were only required to pay for expression‑of‑interest forms, while nomination forms were to be paid for solely by winners of the primary elections.

He argued that any additional payment demanded from aspirants amounted to corruption.

The latest development follows a legal action filed against Okonkwo by Obi’s legal team, which described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory.

In a letter dated 9 June 2026, signed by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi’s lawyers accused Okonkwo of making unfounded claims that Obi and NDC leaders demanded a N10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants.

The legal team also denied allegations that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list, engaged in fraudulent activities, or participated in any criminal conduct.

Obi’s lawyers demanded an immediate retraction of the statements, a public apology across all platforms where the allegations were published, a written undertaking against further defamatory remarks, and financial compensation.

Despite the legal threat, Okonkwo has stood by his claims and is urging relevant authorities to launch an investigation into the matter.

The dispute marks the latest chapter in the deteriorating relationship between Obi and Okonkwo, who was once a prominent supporter of the former presidential candidate but has since aligned himself with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.

Okonkwo said: “Let me make it clear that as a citizen and a lawyer, I have a duty to disclose every crime against the state that comes within my knowledge.”

“The South‑East people have suffered enough. No human being can again take them or any citizen of Nigeria for granted or perpetrate any fraud against them without challenge. Obunike is just one out of many others who have been scammed by NDC and its leaders.”

“The appropriate security agencies and anti‑corruption agencies should immediately commence the investigation of this fraud by NDC and its leaders with a view to refunding the aspirants who were defrauded. According to Obunike Ohaegbu, Peter Obi is at the head of this fraud, according to NDC, and he must be investigated.”

“Senator Seriake Dickson made it clear that the decision of NDC is that aspirants should pay for only expression‑of‑interest form and no more. He said that the only person who is allowed to pay for the nomination form is the winner of the primary election.”

“Any other payment to the party is a product of corruption. May I ask, Is Obunike Ohaegbu and the other aspirants for the Nnewi House of Representatives primary election winners of the primary election? If not, then Peter Obi and the NDC must refund him and all other NDC aspirants their stolen money.”

“This is the main reason I went public with this information. The NDC aspirants must be refunded back their money.”