The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, threatening legal action over what he described as defamatory and malicious statements.
Obi, through his legal counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), demanded that Adeyanju immediately retract the statements, delete all defamatory posts, and tender an unreserved apology to be published on all his social media platforms as well as in three national newspapers.
The ultimatum, contained in a letter addressed to Adeyanju, accused him of persistently making false and damaging claims against Obi through his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @adeyanjudeji, some of which date back to 2022.
The letter specifically referenced a recent post made on 21 August 2025, in which Adeyanju wrote:
“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.”
Obi’s legal team described the remarks as “grossly defamatory, false, and malicious,” alleging that they were deliberately aimed at tarnishing his reputation among Nigerians and the international community.
The letter further warned:
“TAKE NOTICE THAT if you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with the above demands within seven (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have our Client’s firm and unreserved instructions to proceed against you in a Court of competent jurisdiction for appropriate redress.”
Obi’s demands include:
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Immediate deletion of all defamatory posts.
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A full and unqualified public apology on Adeyanju’s social media platforms and in three national newspapers.
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Payment of aggravated damages for defamation and the cost of legal proceedings if the matter proceeds to court.
