In a new twist to Nigeria’s political landscape, activist Deji Adeyanju has accused Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential flagbearer, of trying to bribe him with cash during pre-election engagements.
Adeyanju disclosed this on Friday during a Channels Television interview, where he was asked to respond to Obi’s decision to sue him for defamation.
“Yes, in the wake of the 2023 election, Obi persistently sought to meet me. When we finally met, after I had raised issues about corruption allegations and misuse of state resources, he tried to hand me an envelope, saying it was just a small token. I rejected it immediately,” Adeyanju alleged.
He explained that his support for Obi was never partisan but based on the belief that opposition forces needed unity against the ruling party. However, he alleged that Obi’s refusal to address corruption allegations and his supposed family business dealings raised red flags.
Adeyanju maintained that his role as a social critic is built on personal conviction and not financial inducement.
On his part, Obi, through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), has formally served Adeyanju a demand letter accusing him of deliberate attempts to tarnish the former governor’s reputation. The legal team said Adeyanju’s persistent online comments were “malicious, false, and damaging.”
This controversy, analysts suggest, could shape conversations as the nation heads toward another decisive general election in 2027, where Obi is still considered a potential contender.