Peter Obi’s Ally Finally Reacts to Adeyanju’s Bribery Allegation

Peter Obi’s ally, Ike Abonyi, dismisses Deji Adeyanju’s claim of bribery, insisting no money was offered during their pre-election meeting.

Abuja, FCT – A close associate of Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has refuted allegations made by activist and lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, that Obi attempted to bribe him during the election campaign.Veteran journalist and columnist, Ike Abonyi, who said he personally arranged and attended the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju, described the claim as baseless and misleading.

Adeyanju’s AllegationSpeaking on Channels Television on Friday, August 29, Adeyanju alleged that Obi offered him an envelope containing cash during a private meeting held before the 2023 general elections.He claimed that Obi entered another room, returned with the envelope, and presented it as a gesture of appreciation.

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According to him, he declined the offer and left, adding that he had no intention of taking money in exchange for political support.The activist further explained that he only decided to disclose the incident after Obi’s aides accused him of demanding ₦200 million from the former Anambra governor—an accusation he dismissed as false.

Adeyanju maintained his position, saying: “If he wants to do his worst, let him. Truth is always a defence.”Obi’s Ally Rejects Claiming a sharp rebuttal, Abonyi dismissed Adeyanju’s account, insisting that no financial inducement was ever offered during the three-hour conversation.

“I was at the meeting Deji had with Obi and was there all through. None of the things Deji claimed ever happened. No money was offered during or after the meeting, and there was no promise of any to the best of my knowledge,” Vanguard quoted him as saying.

Abonyi clarified that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of Adeyanju contesting the AMAC House of Representatives seat under the Labour Party, not to negotiate political loyalty through monetary inducement.He added that Obi simply spoke about his life journey and political ideals, emphasizing values he has consistently shared in public.

“False Narrative Must End”Abonyi, describing himself as both a Christian and a journalist, said it would be against his conscience to allow such an allegation to go unchallenged. He urged Adeyanju to exercise his freedom of political choice without resorting to what he termed as falsehood.The controversy has sparked heated debate in Nigeria’s political space, highlighting the persistent tensions between opposition voices and party loyalists in the post-election atmosphere.