A Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has released what he described as supporting evidence for his allegations of bribery involving the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
First Daily reports that Okonkwo had earlier alleged that Obi and other South-East NDC leaders collected ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and ₦20 million from senatorial aspirants during the party’s primary process.
He claimed that one of the affected aspirants, Obunike Ohaegbu, presented him with a receipt as proof of the payment.
The allegations have already triggered legal action, with Obi’s legal team filing a lawsuit in response.
In a post shared on his X handle on Wednesday morning, Okonkwo said he had released alleged WhatsApp conversations between himself and Ohaegbu, which he claims further support his allegations against the party leadership.
“Obunike Ohaegbu, when I questioned him to prove that Peter Obi was responsible for demanding the N10m from him and other HOR aspirants and N20m from the Senate aspirants, he made it clear that when he confronted the Party on who authorised the payment, the party named Peter Obi and the caucus leaders who were assembled by Peter Obi”, Okonkwo posted.
He further defended his decision to speak publicly, insisting it was his responsibility as a citizen and legal practitioner to expose alleged wrongdoing.
“Let me make it clear that as a citizen and a Lawyer, I have a duty to disclose every crime against the state that comes within my knowledge. The South-East people have suffered enough.
“No human being can again take them or any citizen of Nigeria for granted or perpetrate any fraud against them without challenge. Obunike is just one out of many others who have been scammed by NDC and its leaders,” he stated.
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Okonkwo also called on security and anti-corruption agencies to launch an investigation into the allegations and ensure restitution for affected aspirants.
He argued that if Obi and NDC leaders were involved, they should be compelled to refund the money allegedly collected from aspirants.
“The appropriate security agencies and anti-corruption agencies should immediately commence the investigation of this fraud by NDC and its leaders with a view to refunding the aspirants who were defrauded.
“According to Obunike Ohaegbu, Peter Obi is at the head of this fraud, according to NDC, and he must be investigated,” he said.
Referencing party guidelines, Okonkwo also cited comments attributed to NDC South-East leader Seriake Dickson, saying aspirants were only required to pay for expression of interest forms.
“Senator Seriake Dickson made it clear that the decision of NDC is that aspirants should pay for only expression of interest form and no more.
“He said that the only person who is allowed to pay for the nomination form is the winner of the primary election. Any other payment to the party is a product of corruption,” he added.
He concluded by questioning whether the affected aspirants were legitimate primary winners, insisting that refunds should be made if they were not.
“This is the main reason I went public with this information. The NDC aspirants must be refunded back their money,” Okonkwo stated.
