Veteran Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has continued to react to the reports that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, is demanding N5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory remarks.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Okonkwo mocked the reported legal action, suggesting that Obi was seeking funds for political campaigns.

The former Obi campaign spokesman claimed that if Obi needed funds for political activities, he should ask him privately rather than resort to what he described as extortion.

“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!

“If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him. I did so when I was his spokesperson, paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns,” Okonkwo said.

Okonkwo further alleged that he personally covered some expenses during his time as Obi’s spokesperson, including flight tickets and hotel accommodation for campaign activities.

The actor-turned-politician said he had not yet read the letter but warned that any legal action could compel him to disclose information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.

According to him, he had refrained from sharing confidential information out of principle but suggested that such restraint could change if the matter proceeded to court.

He also challenged Obi and his legal team to pursue the case, insisting that he was prepared to respond after reviewing the letter.

Okonkwo stated that he would formally respond to the demand letter after reading it.

A Federal High Court in Gusau has begun hearing a pre-election suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Zamfara North Senatorial aspirant, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, challenging his exclusion from the party’s primary election.

The suit, before Justice Hassan Dikko, has the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as first to third defendants.

Shinkafi is asking the court to nullify the senatorial primary election over what he described as his unlawful exclusion from the process.

When the matter came up for mention on Tuesday, proceedings could not progress due to unresolved issues relating to INEC’s participation in the case.

The court adjourned the matter to June 25 and directed that INEC appear and that all parties exchange pleadings before the next hearing date.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said he was confident in his client’s case, noting that the court would ensure justice is served.

Counsel to Senator Kaura, Jaysey Sharka, confirmed that the matter is still at the hearing stage.