The South East Progressives Forum (SEPF) has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his decision to pursue a N5 billion defamation suit against his former spokesman and political ally, Kenneth Okonkwo.
In a statement issued by its media head, Paul Anigbogu, the group accused the former Anambra State governor of attempting to intimidate and silence Okonkwo after the actor-turned-politician left Obi’s political camp to support another presidential candidate.
The criticism follows a pre-action notice dated June 9, 2026, in which Obi’s legal team, led by Alex Ejesieme, SAN, accused Okonkwo of making defamatory and malicious statements against the NDC presidential candidate.
The lawyers demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements, issue a public apology, and pay N5 billion in damages within seven days or face legal action.
However, Okonkwo, through his legal representatives, rejected the demands, insisting that his comments were based on information allegedly provided by NDC aspirants who claimed they were defrauded and extorted during the party’s internal processes.
Reacting to the dispute, the SEPF accused Obi of portraying himself as a democrat while allegedly showing little tolerance for criticism.
The group argued that the threat of litigation reflected what it described as Obi’s “phobia for criticism” and an attitude inconsistent with democratic principles, particularly the right to freedom of expression.
SEPF further alleged that Obi has a history of threatening legal action against critics and media organisations.
The group cited the legal action reportedly initiated over the leaked 2023 telephone conversation between Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo, as well as a N1.5 billion lawsuit allegedly filed against lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju in 2025 over comments made on social media.
According to the forum, Obi readily criticises political opponents but is unwilling to accept criticism directed at him.
The group also defended Okonkwo, claiming he merely relayed information allegedly provided by party members regarding the conduct of the NDC’s primary elections.
SEPF further warned Obi against pursuing legal action against his former ally, threatening to reveal what it described as his “autocratic antecedents” during his eight years as governor of Anambra State.
Among its allegations, the forum claimed Obi failed to conduct local government elections for most of his tenure and instead governed local councils through caretaker committees until shortly before leaving office.
The allegations made by the South East Progressives Forum have not been independently verified, and Peter Obi has not publicly responded to the group’s latest claims beyond the legal action initiated against Kenneth Okonkwo.