Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, demanding a retraction and N5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.
The controversy stems from a July 20, 2024 post on Onanuga’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, which claimed “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria” and held Obi responsible for potential anarchy. This allegation quickly spread across social media platforms and major Nigerian news outlets.
In a letter dated July 22, 2024, obtained by The Explainer, Obi’s legal counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, refuted the allegations as “false and malicious.” The letter stated:
“Our Client denies the entirety of the falsehood contained in the said publication and insists that there is no modicum of truth in the allegations preferred against him in your published statement.”
Obi’s legal team argued that the widespread dissemination of the defamatory claims has caused significant embarrassment and harm to their client and his family. They demanded that Onanuga publish retractions and apologies in four national newspapers – Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and The Cable – as well as on his verified X handle.
The letter emphasized Obi’s commitment to lawful conduct, stating:
“He has always tailored his affairs according to the dictates of Nigerian law. Where there has been any dissatisfaction with any process or procedure, our Client’s first and only resort has been to invoke the appropriate legal mechanisms to ventilate his grievances.”
Obi’s counsel further noted:
“As a matter of fact, our Client has severally urged his teeming supporters to abide by the rule of law and to abstain from any actions which could result in a breakdown of law and order. He refrains from associating himself with protests and has constantly persuaded Nigerians to persevere.”
The legal team warned of imminent court action if Onanuga fails to comply with their demands within the specified timeframe:
“Take Notice that in the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our Client shall be constrained to approach a Court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel.”
The Explainer learned, this development comes amid reports of planned nationwide protests over economic hardship, which Onanuga had linked to Obi’s supporters. The former governor has consistently denied any involvement in organizing such demonstrations.
