“I Was Present — Peter Obi Never Offered You Money,” Journalist Ike Abonyi Counters Deji Adeyanju’s Claims

Veteran journalist and columnist, Ike Abonyi, has refuted allegations made by human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, claiming that Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, offered him money in exchange for support.

Abonyi, who said he personally brokered and attended the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju ahead of the 2023 election, described Adeyanju’s claims as false and misleading.

In a statement released Friday in Abuja, Abonyi expressed disappointment over Adeyanju’s post on X (formerly Twitter), where he alleged that Obi admitted to investing Anambra State’s funds in his family business — a statement Adeyanju claims led to his withdrawal of support for Obi.

“I am at pains joining issues with a friend in public,” Abonyi wrote, “but at this instance, I cannot keep mum and allow untruths to thrive. My friend Deji Adeyanju just tweeted that why he stopped supporting Peter Obi was when he told him that he invested Anambra state money in his family business.”

“I was at the meeting Deji had with Obi and was there all through and left with him after about three hours of frank discussion. Obi told his life story in and out of government — none of which was new, as he has said similar things in public. I was shocked to my marrow reading from Deji what I did not hear.”

According to Abonyi, after reading Adeyanju’s tweet, he immediately messaged him:

“Deji, did you and Obi meet again or is it the one I was present at? Haba! Deji, I’m shocked. You are free to support whoever you want without funny blackmails. You didn’t even consider my friendship with you.”

Abonyi also recalled that on July 9, 2022, following a separate negative post by Adeyanju — in which he said he would accept a political appointment from APC’s Bola Tinubu — he reached out privately again:

“My brother, good morning. When did it get to this point? I’m still in shock. Obi is not looking for a job that Tinubu will be offering. Even as a friend, if you no longer believe in the Obi project, I encourage you to stay on issues that will enhance your own reputation.”

Abonyi added that Adeyanju has not responded to his messages nor answered his calls. He had hoped to resolve the matter privately and urged him to withdraw the inaccurate statements.

“As a journalist of long standing and as a Christian, I don’t need to be Obi-centric to address issues of fact and falsehood. No money was offered during or after the meeting, and there was no promise of any to the best of my knowledge.”

He further reminded the public that Deji Adeyanju himself had previously declared Obi as the best candidate and urged him to leave the PDP and pursue his ambition elsewhere.

“He is also free to reverse his support — that’s his right — but it should not be based on false claims,” Abonyi concluded.