Onanuga: Obi Demands Apology, Retraction Of Statement Within 72 Hours Or Face N5bn Lawsuit

The Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has demanded that the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the President, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, retract his wild allegation linking him to the planned mass protest in August.

On July 20, 2024, the Presidential Spokesperson claimed in his X handle @aonanuga1956 that “Peter Ob’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held accountable for anarchy.”

Obi, writing through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of the MADIBA Chambers, stated that the allegation, which was widely published in social and mainstream media and read by many within and outside the country, harmed his hard-earned reputation as a man who engages in violence, despite the fact that all of his antecedents show that he abhors violence even in the face of extreme provocation.

“It is our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate, and embarrass him in the estimation of every right thinking member of the society.”

The letter went on to say that the allegation may have served its purpose, as well-wishers from all over the world have flooded Obi with emails expressing their shock.

“Despite his nickname ‘Okwute’ (the Rock), the demeaning and scandalous publication has caused a serious emotional injury to our client, given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.”

” As a result, we have our clients mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in no less than four national dailies, namely Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and the Cable, including your verified X”@aonanuga1956.

“Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for monetary damages of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.”

The letter stated, “In the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our client shall be compelled to approach a Court of Competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel.”