Ex-Obidient Coordinator Tanko Demands ₦5bn From Fellow Obi Supporter Over Alleged Defamation

By Reporter

Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and Political Adviser to the New Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Yunusa Tanko, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages from a fellow Obi supporter, Nmaa Ukpabi, over alleged defamatory publications.

Tanko, through his lawyers, V-C Ottaokpukpu & Associates, Umuchukwu Chambers, issued a pre-action notice over statements allegedly made by Ukpabi concerning the disputed NDC House of Assembly ticket for Kawo Constituency in Kaduna State.

The notice, dated September 9, 2026, accused Ukpabi of publishing what the lawyers described as defamatory, injurious and damaging statements about their client on social media platforms and in various WhatsApp groups.

The dispute is linked to the controversy surrounding the NDC primary election for Kawo Constituency, where Tanko’s son, Yunusa Mohammed Salisu, was declared the party’s candidate, despite reports that another aspirant, Rakiya Baba Mohammed, had won the primary.

According to the lawyers, Ukpabi repeatedly alleged that Tanko manipulated the primary process to secure the party’s ticket for his son.

Among the statements attributed to Ukpabi was an allegation describing Tanko as a “mandate thief orchestrator” and accusing him of replacing Rakiya’s name with that of his son.

Ukpabi also allegedly described Tanko as a disappointment to the Obidient Movement and accused him of corruption, dishonesty and other acts capable of damaging his reputation.

In another alleged publication, Ukpabi accused Tanko of teaching his son to become a “mandate thief” and claimed that the former Obidient coordinator had taken Rakiya’s purported mandate and facilitated the replacement of her name with that of his son.

The lawyers further alleged that Ukpabi described Tanko’s son as a “mandate thief” and claimed that Tanko attempted to use his influence to pressure political figures over the controversy.

The alleged publications were said to have been circulated through several WhatsApp groups, including All Inclusive Obidient Movement-General, Obidient Movement Lagos State, OK-Movement Kaduna State, All-Inclusive Obidient National Coordinators and All-Inclusive Obidient Leaders in NDC Coalition.

Tanko’s lawyers contended that the publications portrayed their client as “a thief, corrupt, fraudulent, wicked, shameless, deceitful, untrustworthy and duplicitous,” among other allegations.

They further accused Ukpabi of falsely portraying Tanko as having manipulated the Kawo primary election to ensure that Rakiya was denied what she believed was her victory in favour of his son.
The lawyers maintained that the alleged publications had caused reputational damage to Tanko and demanded ₦5 billion in damages, alongside other remedies, warning of possible legal action if their demands were not met.
The allegations contained in the pre-action notice are yet to be determined by a court, and Ukpabi has the opportunity to respond to the claims.