‘Peter Obi Is Classless, Uncharismatic, Has Little Knowledge, Zero Depth,’ Claims Kenneth Okonkwo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has launched a fresh attack on the 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as “a classless, uncharismatic politician with little knowledge and zero depth.”

Okonkwo made the remarks on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, responding to the ongoing dispute over an alleged N5 billion defamation suit involving Obi.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson accused Obi of making legally and factually incorrect claims about the defamation matter.

Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

“You know, I’m really sorry to say this, but Peter Obi is a classless, uncharismatic politician with little knowledge and zero depth. Look at the lie he just told,” Okonkwo said.

He argued that Obi’s comments on the defamation suit demonstrated a misunderstanding of basic legal procedure.

“First of all, what he said is legally illogical. A defamation suit is one you bring against somebody for what he has already said, which you are alleging has injured your reputation. But look at him saying he wants to sue Kenneth Okonkwo for what Kenneth Okonkwo said he intends to say. That’s a lie,” he said.

When the programme’s interviewer challenged his interpretation, Okonkwo insisted that Obi had already commenced the legal process before his own comments.

“No, that is what I’m saying. He had already commenced the suing before I said what I said,” he maintained.

Okonkwo said his earlier comments, posted on his X handle, were merely a caution to Obi against pursuing legal action against him as the former spokesperson for his 2023 presidential campaign.

“When you’re dealing with Peter Obi, it’s good to put everything you’re saying in writing. What I stated is on my X handle, and this is what I said: ‘It is unwise for you to sue your spokesperson because, in defending himself, he may divulge some confidential information.’ I did not say anything about whether it would destroy him or not,” he said.

Explaining his position further, the lawyer said the legal process for defamation begins with the issuance of a pre-action notice rather than the filing of a suit in court.

“A defamation suit commences with a pre-action notice. A pre-action notice is simply informing someone, ‘You have defamed me. I am demanding these remedies,’” he said.

“The N5 billion claim did not begin in court. It started with the pre-action notice. The court process only follows if the person refuses to grant what has been demanded in the notice.”

He concluded by accusing Obi of making false statements.

“So just look at a man who wants to be president, lying both legally and factually. What I said is there on my Instagram,” Okonkwo said.

The latest exchange is the most recent escalation in the deteriorating relationship between Obi and Okonkwo, who served as one of the Labour Party’s prominent campaign spokespersons during the 2023 presidential election before parting ways with the former Anambra State governor.(SaharaReporters)