Peter Obi says NDC internal disagreements normal, cites ₦5bn defamation case
Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, said on Tuesday that internal disagreements within political parties are normal and should not be mistaken for a crisis. Speaking in an interview aired by Nevon Media, Obi noted that every organisation experiences minor issues, which are usually resolved internally, and that how they are handled matters. He also addressed a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit he filed last week against party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged damaging remarks made during a Channels Television Sunrise Daily interview on June 8, 2026. Okonkwo had accused Obi of corruption, bribery involving ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants, manipulation of party primaries, and misconduct in candidate selection processes. Obi said the lawsuit was necessary because public claims requiring legal clarification cannot be ignored, stressing that accountability and evidence are important in political communication. He urged leaders to be open to scrutiny and emphasized that future leaders must be selected on integrity, competence, and character, not just political loyalty. The comments come as the NDC positions itself for the 2027 elections, highlighting both internal party dynamics and the legal challenges facing its standard-bearer.