- Peter Obi threatened to take legal action against Onanuga for defamation
- He demanded N5 billion for damages from Onanuga
- Onanuga in his response, said he is not afraid of going to court
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has threatened to sue the Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for defamation while demanding N5 billion in damages.
It all started when Bayo Onanuga claimed that Peter Obi should be held responsible for the planned nationwide protest in a post on X.
Peter Obi, in a letter, through his legal representative, Alex Ejesieme & CO, has demanded a retraction of Onanuga’s statement and an apology in four National Dailies and on his verified X handle within 72 hours.
In the letter, Peter Obi’s lawyer denied the allegations saying: “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 that has since gone viral on the internet and its various social media platforms.”
“The letter further stated: “Consequently, we have our Client’s 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, This Day, Punch and the Cable, including your verified “X” handle - “@aonanuga1956”.
“Our Client also is making an unequivocal demand for monetary damage of N5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira) only for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.”
The letter also said that the president’s aide will be sued for defamation and libel if he doesn’t meet the demands.
Meanwhile, Onanuga has said in a post on X that he is not afraid of any legal action. He posted: “I am still waiting for the letter from Peter Obi’s lawyer threatening a N5 billion suit and demanding an apology to Peter Obi over the planned ‘revolution’. Let me just tell Obi and his lawyer : I am not afraid of any legal action. We shall meet in court.”
Nigerians support lawsuit against Onanuga
Netizens have shown their support for the former presidential candidate and expressed their joy at the turn of events.
Many are happy that Peter Obi is taking legal action against the special adviser while others expressed worry over the corrupt justice system in the country.
Here are some of the comments:
@bruzieee posted: “I think this is needed in our democracy, let everyone be sure of whatever they say because that arm twisting was wild.”
@Nrs_Idreeserh posted: “Nice one. I support Peter obi to deal with the Bigot.”
@Blacksodje posted: “I love this. Teach that man a lesson!”
@FablosJanny posted: “He needs to be put in his place, time to show evidence.”
@Philip_ItisI posted: “Gen gen… We masses are coming for peaceful protests and Bayo Onanuga was busy saying what doesn't correlate. I hope his N5billion is readily available.”
@AustinINstate posted: “The man has been so gentle , if he has made any move like this since we for don go far , but nevertheless, we keep pushing . Let the Onanu go explain with evidence.”
@mobytoolz posted: “Omoh , This just made me smile.”
@greenpurplerave posted: “I like this, let Bayo come & prove that PO is the one supporting or sponsoring hungry Nigerians who want to protest ,when even before the release of the 2023 election result & after ,if not for @peterObi maturity & love for Nigeria ..If PO ahead supported protest TINUBU will never had made it to Aso rock & lots of pple will have died.”
@Ollawaski2 posted: “Bayo Onanuga wants to play the games they played in 1967 in 2024. He will so lose and his family will bear the brunt.”
@EditiPeter posted: “Peter Obi fit the case mek e no see the money. The justice system is corrupt af, I don't rate any.”
@nzeribeikenna posted: “He took his gentleness for weakness. With all the evidence in the public domain, let's see how he'll get himself off the hook on this one.”
@torty_mercy posted: “Long overdue! That old boy Bayo has dwelt in the mountain of chochocho for so long. He should come and prove his assertions.”
Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar among the most followed Nigerian politicians on X (Twitter)
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that Nigerian politicians were social media celebrities who command a huge following on social media platforms.
Particularly on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku emerged as the most followed Nigerian politician with 5.1 million followers while Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate, was the second most followed politician in Nigeria with 4.6 million followers.
Former president, Buhari emerged as the third most-followed Nigerian politician with 4.5 million followers while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was Nigeria’s fourth most-followed politician with 4.3 million followers.