Kenneth Okonkwo Calls Peter Obi Classless, Accuses Him of Targeting Rising Southeast Stars
Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nollywood actor, has described former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as a classless, non‑charismatic politician lacking legal knowledge and depth. Speaking about Obi’s defamation lawsuit against him, Okonkwo said the former governor’s legal team needs to better educate him on defamation law.
He insisted that his remarks about Obi are factual and already in the public domain, and that he did not defame the presidential candidate. Okonkwo argued that Obi is a compulsive liar who seeks to undermine emerging leaders from the South‑East, echoing the comment by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo that Obi “lies like a fish that drinks water.”
Okonkwo elaborated: “Peter Obi is classless, non‑charismatic, with little knowledge and zero depth. Look at the lie he just told. Legally, a defamation suit is filed against someone for statements already made that allegedly harm reputation. Yet Obi claims he wants to sue me for what I intend to say — a suit that began before I even spoke. When dealing with Peter Obi, it is wise to put everything in writing.”
He continued: “What I said is on my X (formerly Twitter) handle: ‘It’s unwise for you to sue your spokesperson because in defending himself he may reveal confidential information.’ I did not say whether it would destroy him or not. I made that comment after he started the pre‑action notice for defamation. A defamation suit starts with a pre‑action notice informing the alleged defamer that they have harmed my reputation and demanding certain actions. The N5 billion claim did not originate in court; it came from that pre‑action notice. The court case is merely a tool to enforce what was already requested, which the other party denied.”
“So here is a man aspiring to be President, lying both legally and factually. My statement is on Instagram. Defamation law applies to what has already been said, not what one intends to say — that is why his claim is false. If he truly wanted to sue me for what I intend to say, he would have filed that directly. I have said before that Obi wants to destroy any rising star from the South‑East. Omoyele Sowore called him a packaged fraud; has he sued him? Yesterday, the Minister of Aviation said he lies like a fish that drinks water. Has he sued him? When Arabambi spoke, he said Obi has no face, which is why he did not sue him. The Minister of Aviation has labelled Obi a compulsive liar, and I agree because he has openly lied against me and shown little legal understanding. His lawyers should educate him.”
