Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has responded defiantly to Peter Obi’s threat of a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit.
This follows Obi’s 72-hour ultimatum for Onanuga to apologize and pay the damages for alleged defamation and libel.
The conflict arose after Onanuga’s allegation that linked Obi to a planned mass protest set for August. On July 20, 2024, Onanuga posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, claiming that “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”
In response, Obi, through his counsel Alex Ejesieme, SAN, asserted that the allegations had severely tarnished his reputation. Ejesieme’s letter emphasized that the widespread publication of Onanuga’s statement painted Obi as a proponent of violence, contradicting his established record of non-violence and peaceful conduct even under extreme provocation.
Obi stated that the defamatory remarks not only damaged his reputation but also caused significant emotional distress, given his longstanding and commendable public and private service.
In a post via his X handle on Tuesday, Onanuga dismissed the threat of legal action, stating he is prepared to face Obi in court. “I am still waiting for the letter from Peter Obi’s lawyer threatening a ₦5 billion suit and demanding an apology to Peter Obi over the planned ‘revolution’,” Onanuga wrote. “Let me just tell Obi and his lawyer: I am not afraid of any legal action. We shall meet in court.”
The situation now seems set to escalate into a legal battle, with both parties preparing to defend their positions in court.
