PROTESTS: Tinubu’s aide, Onanuga, dares Peter Obi over threat of lawsuit

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communications and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has insisted that he will not take back his words regarding allegations he made against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Onanuga had, in a statement on Saturday, accused Obi and his supporters popularly called Obidients, of being behind the planned EndBadGovernance protests scheduled to commence on August 1st across the country.

Apart from accusing the former Anambra State governor of sponsoring the planned nationwide protests against Tinubu’s administration, Onanuga also said Obi would be held responsible for any liabilities that arise from the public demonstrations.

After a few days of silence, Obi decided to slam a N5 billion lawsuit against Onanuga for defamation of character, as well as demanding a public apology to be published in four national newspapers.

In a letter addressed to Onanuga through his lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme, Obi described the presidential aide’s comments as defamatory to his reputation and personality.

READ ALSO:Utomi blasts presidential aide, Onanuga, over mass protest allegations

Part of the letter read:

“We have our Client’s mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, This Day, Punch and the Cable, including your verified “X” handle – “@aonanuga1956”.

“Our Client also is making an unequivocal demand for monetary damage of N5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira) only for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.

“Take Notice that in the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our Client shall be constrained to approach a Court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel. Be advised accordingly.”

But while reacting to the lawsuit in a post on X on Tuesday, Onanuga claimed he is yet to receive any letter from Obi’s lawyer and that he is not even scared of legal actions.

“I am still waiting for the letter from Peter Obi’s lawyer threatening a N5 billion suit and demanding an apology to Peter Obi over the planned ‘revolution’.

“Let me just tell Obi and his lawyer: I am not afraid of any legal action. We shall meet in court.”

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