Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has been issued a seven-day ultimatum to apologise and retract an alleged defamatory statement against Abayomi Arabambi, the Labour Party's National Vice Chairman (South-West), or face a ₦50 billion defamation lawsuit. The demand comes in a pre-action letter from Neplus Ultra Attorneys, acting on behalf of Arabambi, accusing Obi of making a defamatory remark during a podcast interview.
Details of the Alleged Defamatory Statement
According to the legal letter, Obi allegedly stated that Arabambi “does not have an address” during the interview. Arabambi's lawyers argue that this statement is false, damaging, and has the potential to harm their client's reputation, especially given its widespread circulation across media platforms. The legal team is demanding a public apology, a retraction of the statement, and the publication of the apology on all platforms where the comment was shared. They are also seeking ₦50 billion in damages for what they describe as injury to Arabambi's reputation.
Pre-Litigation Stage and Legal Context
The matter is currently at the pre-litigation stage, meaning no court has ordered Obi to pay the ₦50 billion. The amount represents the damages Arabambi's lawyers are seeking should the case proceed to court. The letter warns that Obi will face legal action if he fails to meet the demands within seven days. As of the time of this report, Obi has not publicly responded to the ultimatum or the defamation claim.
Broader Pattern of Defamation Threats
This development comes amid a series of public disagreements and legal threats involving political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. In June, Obi himself issued a seven-day ultimatum to former Labour Party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding a retraction, apology, and ₦5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory comments. The latest dispute adds to the growing number of defamation-related confrontations among Nigerian political actors, with parties increasingly turning to legal action over public statements and allegations.
