Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has demanded a public retraction and apology from activist Deji Adeyanju over what he described as a series of false and defamatory publications against him.
In a letter dated August 26, 2025, and issued by his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Madiba Chambers, Obi said Adeyanju, through his social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, has “repeatedly published false, malicious, and grossly defamatory statements” targeted at damaging his reputation before Nigerians and the international community.
The letter, addressed to Adeyanju & Partners, cited several posts allegedly made by Adeyanju between 2022 and August 2025, including claims that Obi misappropriated public funds while serving as governor, attempted to bribe him, and used religion during his presidential campaign.
According to the letter, one of Adeyanju’s most recent posts on August 21, 2025, read:
“Peter Obi can only be president of the obidients on social media. You see that my one vote, I will rather give it to Tinubu than the leader of the mob. Political extremists who do not want Nigerians to criticize their presidential candidate have no place in our polity… I said I met him and he tried to give me money and called it thank you for coming, it’s 100% true. I said he took Anambra state funds and invested in his family business, it is true. And lastly, I said he is a religious bigot for using religion to campaign, it’s also true.”
Obi’s lawyers said the statements were “patently false, maliciously contrived, and deliberately intended to tarnish our Client’s reputation, expose him to odium, and subject him to public ridicule.”
The letter further stated:
> “By describing our Client as ‘the leader of the mob,’ you have falsely portrayed him as an anarchist inclined to instigating unrest. Your baseless description of our Client as a ‘bigot’ is equally defamatory and offensive. Mr. Obi has consistently championed national cohesion and inclusiveness throughout his political career and private life.”
Obi is demanding Adeyanju immediately delete all alleged defamatory posts from his social media platforms, issue a public apology on his handles, and publish same in three national dailies.
The letter warned that failure to comply within seven days would leave Obi with no choice but to seek legal redress in court, including claims for aggravated damages, an injunction restraining further defamatory publications, and costs of legal proceedings.
Chief Ejesieme said the legal action, if initiated, would be pursued “with our Client’s firm and unreserved instructions.”
