Kenneth Okonkwo, Nigerian actor and political figure, has intensified his corruption allegations against the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), including its presidential candidate Peter Obi, releasing what he describes as documentary evidence to support his claims.

The renewed accusations centre on alleged financial demands placed on political aspirants during the party’s primary elections, a claim the NDC leadership has yet to formally respond to in detail.

Okonkwo Escalates Allegations Over Primary Election Conduct

Okonkwo insists that aspirants were pressured into making unlawful payments to secure party tickets, including alleged demands of ₦10 million for House of Representatives aspirants and ₦20 million for Senate aspirants.

His latest comments come after receiving a pre-litigation notice from Peter Obi’s legal team, which threatened a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit over earlier remarks made during a television interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

In that interview, Okonkwo had alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were coerced into paying bribes under Obi’s leadership within the party structure.

Claims Supported With Private Chats and Testimonies

Responding via posts on social media platform X, Okonkwo dismissed the legal threats and published excerpts of private conversations he says were with Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.

According to Okonkwo, the chats and discussions suggest that party leadership was directly involved in determining financial expectations and candidate selection processes during the primaries.

He also alleged that Ohaegbu described Peter Obi as central to the alleged irregularities, including the compilation of candidate lists.

Okonkwo further claimed that some individuals listed as candidates had not won or even participated in the primaries, citing Senator Victor Umeh as one example mentioned in the alleged correspondence.

Party Guidelines and Counterclaims

To strengthen his position, Okonkwo referenced internal party clarifications and past statements by Senator Seriake Dickson, which outlined that aspirants are only required to pay for Expression of Interest forms, not additional levies.

He argued that any extra financial demands placed on aspirants prior to primaries would be inconsistent with party rules and therefore unlawful.

Okonkwo also alleged that when concerns were raised within the party about the additional payments, officials directed inquiries back to Obi’s state-level caucus.

Call for Investigation

The former APC chieftain and lawyer called for urgent investigations by anti-corruption and security agencies into the financial operations of the NDC during its primaries.

He maintained that his disclosures were in the public interest and aimed at ensuring accountability and possible restitution for affected aspirants.

According to him, the allegations, if properly investigated, could expose systemic irregularities in the party’s candidate selection process.

As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi and the NDC leadership have not issued a detailed public response to the latest claims.

Ekiti Church Attack Victims Remain in Captivity Over 35 Days Later

More than 35 days after a deadly attack on a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eda-Oniyo community, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, 16 worshippers—including children—remain in captivity.

The victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected bandits stormed the church during a service, killing the presiding pastor before whisking away worshippers into the forest.

Residents say at least five of those abducted were children, raising further concern over the humanitarian impact of the incident.

In the days following the attack, the kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦1 billion as ransom. The figure was later reduced to ₦150 million and then ₦50 million, according to community sources familiar with the negotiations.

Despite these developments, families of the victims say there has been no meaningful breakthrough in securing their release. One resident described the situation as deeply distressing, noting that the community remains in a state of fear and uncertainty.

“For 34 days, these children and others have remained in captivity while their families live in fear, uncertainty, and pain,” a source said.

Another resident, who spoke emotionally about the incident, said the entire community has been left shaken by the prolonged silence and lack of clear updates from authorities.

Meanwhile, concerns have continued to grow over the absence of visible progress in rescue efforts, as families await news of their loved ones.

The incident has also unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing political activities in the state, with the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, continuing his re-election campaign across all 16 local government areas.

The situation has intensified public debate over security response and the safety of rural communities in Ekiti State.

Former Labour Party vice presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the timing of the announcement of the 2023 presidential election results.

Speaking during an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed described the announcement of results at about 4am as inappropriate, arguing that any electoral body that declares such critical outcomes at that hour raises serious credibility concerns.

He also directed criticism at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of presiding over an administration that emerged from what he described as a flawed electoral process.

Criticism of INEC’s Conduct

Baba-Ahmed expressed frustration over what he called Nigerians’ tolerance for irregularities in the electoral system, insisting that the process should have triggered stronger public resistance.

He referenced a public commitment allegedly made by the INEC chairman to international observers, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, that results would be announced by 9am, but said the commission later released the results in the early hours of the morning instead.

He described the timing as deceptive and inappropriate, arguing that such conduct undermines public trust in the electoral process.

Allegations and Electoral Concerns

The former vice-presidential candidate said he had previously challenged the outcome of the election but lamented that his efforts did not yield the desired result.

He questioned the legitimacy of a process where results are announced under what he described as questionable circumstances, insisting that the credibility of elections depends heavily on transparency and adherence to due process.

Baba-Ahmed maintained that the electoral commission’s actions during the 2023 polls continue to raise concerns among Nigerians who expect higher standards from democratic institutions.