Since the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has been a vocal opposition figure. His activism has garnered significant support on social media, as he consistently challenges the government. Recently, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesperson, accused Obi of sponsoring planned nationwide protests against President Tinubu’s government, an allegation made without evidence.
Defamation Allegations
Bayo Onanuga openly accused Mr. Obi of planning to incite nationwide protests to express grievances over his loss in the 2023 elections.
Mr. Onanuga labeled Mr. Obi and his supporters as anarchists who were unable to accept their loss in the 2023 presidential polls, alleging they sought to destabilize President Tinubu’s leadership under the guise of planned protests for August.
“REVEALED: Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria: Obi should be held responsible for anarchy,” Mr. Onanuga tweeted.
These statements, deemed bold and baseless, lacked any proof, making them false allegations against Mr. Obi.
Legal Response
In response, Mr. Obi, through his lawyer Alex Ejesieme, issued a letter to Mr. Onanuga. The letter referenced a tweet from Mr. Onanuga on July 20, in which he accused Mr. Obi of sponsoring protests to cause anarchy and unleash mayhem. Mr. Obi demanded a retraction of the statement, an apology published in four newspapers, and N5 billion as compensation for damages suffered.
Demands and Consequences
Mr. Obi’s lawyer stated, “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 other platforms.” The letter demanded a retraction within 72 hours, to be published in four national newspapers. Failure to comply would result in a lawsuit, potentially leading to Mr. Onanuga being tried in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Bottom Line
Peter Obi’s demands for retraction and compensation highlight the serious nature of defamation in political discourse. The unfolding legal battle underscores the tensions between opposition figures and the current government, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based accusations in maintaining political integrity.
