Politics
Peter Obi demands N5bn from Kenneth Okonkwo over defamation allegations
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 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.
Politics
I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.
“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.
Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.
“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”
Politics
Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.
Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.
Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.
“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.
Politics
Benue Politician,Terhemba Shija Vows To Bring Back Home Over 900,000 in IDP Camps
Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said, ” First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life.
The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, promises to reset the state if he wins the 2027 governorship election.
Shija gave the assurance during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, declaring unacceptable – 900,000 people in Benue State currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.
Benue State has an official census population of 4,253,641 from 2006, with recent projections estimating the population to be over 6 million people.
Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said “First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life. We can’t continue normalising what is happening. And once you rescue them, then you set a programme for restructuring. You make sure that Benue is reset afresh.”
“As it is now, this state is in a state of disrepair. The state is no longer in the hands of the owners of the states. Most of over 900,000 people are living in IDP camps. You should know that Benue state is an agrarian state,”he said.
He emphasised “70% of the people of Benue are farmers. They can’t farm. Their land has been taken over by invaders.
Shija, blames the situation on “Herdsmen have taken over Benue land. And these people are living in IDP camps. Now the government has intended to introduce ranching. They have ended up ranching human beings. Human beings are now in IDP camps. And they are at the mercy of people in government.”
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