Presidential hopeful of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will abandon his ambition for the 2027 presidential election if actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo presents credible evidence proving he is not fit to hold public office.
Obi made the statement during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo while addressing the defamation lawsuit he recently filed against Okonkwo.
The former Anambra State governor explained that the legal action was not aimed at preventing his former spokesperson from speaking publicly. Instead, he said the suit was intended to compel Okonkwo to back up his repeated allegations with evidence.
According to Obi, Okonkwo has consistently claimed to possess damaging information about him from the period they worked together politically. He insisted that such claims should be made public so Nigerians can judge his suitability for leadership.
“I want Kenneth Okonkwo to release everything he claims to know about me. If what he reveals shows that I am not qualified to lead this country, I will withdraw from the 2027 presidential race,” Obi said during the interview.
Obi stressed that Nigerians deserve complete transparency from anyone seeking the nation’s highest office, arguing that voters should have access to all relevant information before making electoral decisions.
Responding to criticism that the defamation suit was an attempt to suppress free speech, the NDC presidential candidate maintained that the case was solely intended to require Okonkwo to substantiate the allegations he has repeatedly referenced.
He stated that Okonkwo had publicly claimed that he possessed sensitive information about him and had threatened to disclose it if challenged or taken to court. Obi said the lawsuit provides the opportunity for those claims to be tested through evidence.
The legal dispute comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with Okonkwo recently appointed as spokesperson for the presidential campaign of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The case has continued to attract public attention as both political figures remain active participants in discussions surrounding Nigeria’s next presidential election.
