Peter Obi defamation lawsuit criticised by Rufai Oseni, who says legal action against Kenneth Okonkwo may have amplified the allegations
Arise News anchor and broadcaster Rufai Oseni has criticised the decision by Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi to pursue a defamation lawsuit against African Democratic Congress chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, describing the legal action as unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.
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Rufai Oseni reacted to the ongoing dispute arising from allegations made by Kenneth Okonkwo regarding the conduct of the Nigeria Democratic Congress primary elections in the South East.
Peter Obi defamation lawsuit has attracted widespread political and media attention, following claims by Okonkwo that party leaders allegedly collected bribes from aspirants seeking legislative tickets.
The allegations were strongly denied by Obi’s camp, which subsequently issued legal action and a seven-day ultimatum for a retraction.
Rufai Oseni, however, argued that the lawsuit had unintentionally amplified the controversy, suggesting that the allegations might have gone largely unnoticed without the court action.
He further advised that public refutations, rather than litigation, may have been a more effective response strategy in managing reputational concerns.
“If I’m to advise Mr Peter Obi, I would ask him to remove that case from the court,” Oseni said during the programme.
The broadcaster described Kenneth Okonkwo as a “political surrogate” and maintained that not every allegation required a legal response, stressing the importance of strategic communication in political disputes.
The remarks have added a new layer to the growing debate surrounding the dispute, which continues to generate reactions across political and media circles.
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As discussions around the Peter Obi defamation lawsuit continue, attention remains focused on how both parties will proceed amid increasing public scrutiny.
