A fresh storm is brewing between Deji Adeyanju, a political activist, and Peter Obi, former governor and presidential aspirant. The feud started with a retraction letter sent to Obi’s aide and has escalated to a lawsuit.
Adeyanju revealed that he received a demand for a retraction from Obi himself—whom he mockingly described as a “religious bigot.” In a public post, Adeyanju said he “laughed so hard” upon receiving the letter and is now gearing up for a court showdown.
The friction began when Adeyanju claimed that Obi’s assistant, named Serah, made defamatory statements against his wife. In response, Adeyanju said they served her with a retraction letter on Monday, demanding she retract the offending remarks.
But that move did not go down quietly. According to Adeyanju, Serah “ran to the leader of the mob for help”—that is, she went to Obi, who then or his legal team demanded Adeyanju retract his letter.
Adeyanju branded the petition a joke. “A fraud parading himself as a messiah,” he wrote, referring to Obi. He added that Obi once labeled Omoyele Sowore—a well-known activist and newspaper publisher—as a “blackmailer-in-chief,” seemingly to underscore a pattern of public insults.
Now, Adeyanju says he is eagerly awaiting courtroom proceedings, suggesting the matter will play out under the eyes of the law, not in public posts.
Peter Obi is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political scene. As a former governor of Anambra State and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, his words carry weight. Any legal move he makes can become a national talking point.
On the other side, Deji Adeyanju is also not anonymous. A founder of Buhari must Go campaign group and a vocal critic of many politicians, Adeyanju is known for his bold statements and willingness to confront public figures head-on.
If a court case unfolds, it will test how defamation is handled in political and activist circles, especially when aides or assistants are involved. It highlights the broader question of how leaders manage their public image and what happens when their inner circle becomes the battleground.
Peter Obi rose to prominence as a reform-focused governor and became a national figure during his presidential runs.
Deji Adeyanju made a name for himself through youth mobilization, activism, and strong criticism of political leaders.
Defamation laws in Nigeria require that any false statements made publicly must be formally retracted or challenged in court.
