Former Labour Party chieftain, actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has intensified his allegations of financial impropriety against former presidential candidate Peter Obi and certain leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), releasing what he describes as documentary evidence to back his claims.
The latest development follows a legal dispute sparked by comments Okonkwo made during a television interview, where he alleged that aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets during the NDC primary elections were compelled to make unlawful payments to secure party nominations.
The controversy gained further attention after Obi’s legal team reportedly issued a pre-action notice demanding a retraction of the allegations and threatening a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit against the actor-turned-politician.
Undeterred by the legal threat, Okonkwo took to social media on Wednesday, publishing details of what he claimed were private conversations with Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.
According to Okonkwo, Ohaegbu privately accused some party leaders of manipulating the primary election process and allegedly linked Obi to the disputed activities. He further claimed that concerns were raised about a candidate list purportedly compiled outside the official primary election process, casting doubt on the transparency of candidate selection within the party.
Okonkwo also alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were required to pay ₦10 million, while Senate aspirants were asked to pay ₦20 million before the conclusion of the primary process.
In support of his claims, the former Labour Party spokesperson cited statements allegedly issued by party officials and maintained that inquiries by affected aspirants regarding the payments were directed to party caucus leaders associated with Obi.
He further referenced remarks attributed to Senator Seriake Dickson, who reportedly stated that aspirants were only expected to pay for Expression of Interest forms, while nomination fees should be paid exclusively by candidates who emerged victorious in party primaries.
Calling for an independent probe, Okonkwo urged anti-corruption agencies and security authorities to investigate the allegations and determine whether any financial misconduct occurred during the NDC primary elections.
He said his objective was to promote accountability and ensure that any aspirants affected by unlawful financial demands receive appropriate redress, including possible refunds.
However, Peter Obi and the leadership of the NDC have consistently denied any wrongdoing and have indicated their intention to pursue legal remedies over the allegations.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations remain unproven and have not been tested or established in any court of law.
The dispute has added another layer of tension to opposition politics as parties begin positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.