Like Obi, former Governor Udenwa threatened to sue Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding N5 billion

Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has threatened to take African Democratic Party (ADC) chairman Kenneth Okonkwo to court over alleged defamatory statements made in a television programme.

He also demanded compensation of N5 billion and a public apology from the actor-turned-politician.

The demands were contained in a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026 and signed by Udenwa’s attorney, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN).

In the letter he saw on Sunday, Udenwa accused Okonkwo of making false allegations depicting him unlawfully obtaining money from political candidates through coercion and violence.

According to the letter, the statement was delivered on live television and then disseminated by various media organizations and online platforms.

“Most regrettable, your statements defaming him, accusing him of illegally obtaining money from candidates by means of coercion and violence, or falsely and unlawfully obtaining money from such candidates by means of force or violence, statements you made during a live television program broadcast both nationally and internationally, and such statements were subsequently published by many media outlets and several online platforms, have seriously injured our client’s credit and reputation and painted him as a common criminal who abused his position for personal monetary gain,” the letter stated.

Okonkwo, in an interview on Channels TV on June 8, 2026, allegedly linked the former governor to alleged blackmail of candidates seeking elected positions in the Democratic Party of Nigeria.

He said, “That is why the NDC issued a statement that only the South East party caucus is involved in the matter.

“Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other South East caucus leaders are busy squeezing candidates from the South East”.

He claimed that one of the candidates, Obunike Ohaegbu, gave him details of the alleged payments along with receipts.

However, Udenwa, through his attorney, demanded that Okonkwo issue a retraction and apology within seven days.

The former governor requested that the apology be published in five national newspapers and broadcast in prime time on Channels Television.

“We hereby, on his instructions, give you seven days from the date of this letter to write him a letter of unequivocal apology, published in five national dailies, as well as broadcast, at prime time, on Channels Television, in which you clearly, unequivocally, retract your publication against him, and give a promise to never defame him again,” the letter added.

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Apart from the apology, Udenwa demanded N5 billion as compensation for the alleged damage to his reputation.

“We also demand payment of the sum of N5 billion as compensation to him to mitigate the losses caused by your false publication,” the letter said.

The former governor further warned that legal action would be taken if demands were not met within the specified time period.

“Please note that if the above demands are not met strictly within the stipulated time period, we have his instructions to initiate legal proceedings against you at the appropriate High Court in Imo State, to claim the said sum of N5 billion as damages against you, as well as appropriate damages against you,” the letter added.

NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi is also demanding N5 billion in damages and a public apology from the actor-turned-politician over the same alleged defamatory statements.

The former governor of Anambra State also threatened legal action and indicated that he may seek greater compensation if his demands are not met.

Responding to a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Okonkwo rejected the request.

He also shared alleged WhatsApp conversations between him and Ohaegbu, which he said supported his claims about Obi’s involvement in the party’s primary election process.

Okonkwo was Obi’s former spokesman before they separated.