The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Gregory Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television appearance.

In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious and defamatory allegations against their client during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, June 8.

The legal team said that the remarks were subsequently published and circulated by several media organisations and online platforms.

According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that “Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.”

The lawyers also alleged that Okonkwo claimed there was documentary evidence of the payments, that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, collected money from people abroad and was involved in criminal activities alongside other party leaders.

The letter stated that the allegations portrayed Obi as a person engaged in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty and criminal conduct.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has officially named Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the deputy governorship candidate to pair with Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.

The announcement was made following extensive consultations and a rigorous selection process by the party leadership. Sonayon-James, who currently serves as the Lagos State Deputy Woman Leader of the APC, is a 40/41-year-old Badagry princess with a strong background in public policy, community development, agriculture, women’s empowerment, and social services.

Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi praised her competence, loyalty, and grassroots appeal, describing the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket as a powerful combination of experience, innovation, and visionary leadership that will continue to drive development across the state.

The selection is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the ticket’s appeal, particularly by providing representation from Badagry and boosting support among women and younger voters ahead of the February 2027 polls. Supporters have welcomed the choice, hailing it as a balanced and progressive pairing.

Dr. Hamzat, the incumbent Deputy Governor, emerged as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate earlier in 2026 and is widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is completing his second term.

This development marks another key step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has firmly asserted the supremacy of the party over individual interests, reaffirming its commitment to building a strong, enduring political institution ahead of future elections.

In resolutions from its recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the party emphasized that no member or group should operate outside the party’s structures and leadership. It declared that elected officials must consult party organs on key decisions and that all support groups, NGOs, and affiliated movements must subordinate themselves to the party’s directorates and overall control.

“The Party is Supreme. We do not tolerate any cult of personality in the NDC,” the party stressed in its communique.

As part of efforts to promote accountability and discipline, the NDC approved the establishment of a comprehensive Code of Conduct for all party officials and candidates. A committee, headed by the National Legal Adviser, has been constituted to draft the framework and guidelines, which will apply across all levels of the party.

The moves come as the relatively new party—bolstered by figures including Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso—seeks to position itself as a credible alternative focused on institutional strength rather than personal ambitions. Additional resolutions include demands for full financial transparency through dedicated party accounts.

Party leaders described the resolutions as essential for fostering unity, discipline, and effective leadership as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The decisions have drawn mixed reactions, with supporters hailing them as a necessary “riot act” to prevent fragmentation, while some observers note potential tensions with various support movements.

The NDC was founded in early 2026 and continues to expand its structures, including recent steps like constituting a National Selection Committee for upcoming primaries.