Peter Obi Threatens N5 Billion Defamation Suit Against Bayo Onanuga Over Protest Allegations

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has given Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, a 72-hour ultimatum to retract an alleged defamatory statement. Onanuga had claimed that Obi’s supporters are behind the upcoming nationwide protests against economic hardship.

In a letter from Alex Ejesieme, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Obi’s lawyer, the former Anambra governor demands a public apology published in four national newspapers for the “widespread defamation and libel.” If Onanuga fails to comply, Obi will seek N5 billion in damages through legal action.

The context of this controversy is a reported youth-led nationwide protest against the rising cost of living and economic hardship, scheduled for August 1 to 15. Onanuga accused Obi’s supporters of orchestrating the protest and likened them to the organizers of the #ENDSARS protest in 2020.

Onanuga’s statement on X, formerly Twitter, read: “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.”

Obi argues that these allegations have damaged his reputation, portraying him as someone who condones violence. The viral nature of Onanuga’s comments on social and mainstream media, both domestically and internationally, has intensified the impact.

Ejesieme’s letter describes the publication as a calculated effort to demean and embarrass Obi, causing significant emotional distress. The letter stipulates that Onanuga must retract his statement and apologize within 72 hours in Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and TheCable, as well as on his verified X account.

Failing to meet these demands, Obi will pursue legal action for defamation and libel in a court of competent jurisdiction.