Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has asked Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, to President Bola Tinubu withdraw his baseless claim.
News About Nigeria reports that this in contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, on Tuesday.
Onanuga had alleged on July 20, 2024, via his social media handle, that Obi’s supporters were planning violent protests in August, holding Obi responsible for the potential chaos.
Obi’s lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme, emphasized that this allegation, widely disseminated in local and international media, tarnished Obi’s reputation as a peaceful individual.
Contrary to Onanuga’s claim, Obi’s past actions demonstrate his commitment to non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocation.
“It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate and embarrass him by the estimation of every right thinking member of the society”
The letter continued that the allegation may have achieved its insipid motive as well-wishers from all around the globe have inundated Obi to register their shock.
“His appellation as ‘Okwute’ ( the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our client given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.
“ Consequently, we have our clients mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch and the Cable, including your verified X“@aonanuga1956.
“Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for the monetary damage of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family”
The letter said “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”
