The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has initiated legal proceedings against Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Strategy. Obi’s legal team is demanding a retraction of a defamatory publication and N5 billion in damages, claiming that the statement has significantly harmed Obi’s reputation.
The controversy arose from a statement posted by Onanuga on his verified “X” (formerly Twitter) handle, “@aonanuga1956,” on July 20, 2024. Onanuga alleged that “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria” and held Obi responsible for potential anarchy. This claim was widely disseminated across various social media platforms and major Nigerian news outlets.
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Onanuga, Obi’s legal counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, denounced the allegations as “false and malicious.” The letter emphasized that there was no truth in the claims made by Onanuga: “Our Client denies the entirety of the falsehood contained in the said publication and insists that there is no modicum of truth in the allegations preferred against him in your published statement.”
Obi’s legal team argued that the publication was not only defamatory but also intended to damage Obi’s reputation and standing. They highlighted the extensive circulation of the defamatory statement on platforms such as “X,” WhatsApp, Facebook, and various media outlets, which has allegedly caused significant embarrassment and harm to Obi and his family.
In addition to demanding N5 billion in damages, Obi’s lawyers have warned of imminent legal action if Onanuga does not comply with their demands. The letter concludes: “Take Notice that in the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our Client shall be constrained to approach a Court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel.”