Political Platform

N5bn suit: ‘Ask for help if you need money to campaign’ – Kenneth Okonkwo mocks Peter Obi.

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.

'She was after governorship ticket' — Ogun APC rejects Iyabo Obasanjo's maltreatment claims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state has rejected allegations by Iyabo Obasanjo, a former senator who represented Ogun central, that she was subjected to intimidation and disrespect within the party.

On May 31, Iyabo announced her resignation from the APC over alleged disrespect, intimidation of supporters and other grievances.

Xenophobic attacks: First batch of Nigerians to arrive from South Africa June 11

The Federal Government has said that the first batch of Nigerian evacuees from the Republic of South Africa will arrive in Lagos on Thursday June 11.

The spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

The development followed a series of xenophobic attacks endured by Nigerians and other nationals living in South Africa.

On Sunday, the government said over 500 Nigerians had been screened and cleared for evacuation.

The government also said the first flight will airlift about 270 passengers from Johannesburg to Nigeria as soon as the necessary permits and clearance are secured for the aircraft.

Ebienfa, in the statement issued in Abuja, said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the first batch of Nigerian nationals that will be evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to Xenophobic attacks will depart the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, and the expected time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos is 5.00 am on Thursday morning.”

Ebienfa further said the evacuation operation will be undertaken by Air Peace Airlines.

He disclosed that the Federal Government has fully funded the evacuation exercise, adding that all affected Nigerians will be repatriated at no cost to them.

“The ministry further wishes to assure the public that the Federal Government, through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, has put in place the necessary reception and support arrangements for the returnees. Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” Ebienfa also said.

Iran accuses US of revoking World Cup tickets allocated to supporters

Iran's football federation (FFIRI) says the US has revoked tickets to Iranian fans for their country's World Cup group games.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the federation said it had already begun distributing tickets for the country's group-stage matches but was subsequently informed that it could no longer provide tickets to supporters through official channels.