Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has alleged that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, once attempted to offer him money during a private meeting in the build-up to the last general elections.

Adeyanju made the claim during a live interview on Channels Television on Friday, while reacting to Obi’s legal threat to sue him for defamation.

“Peter Obi got into a room and came out with an envelope, insisting it was just a small thing for coming,” Adeyanju recounted. “I told him, God forbid. You don’t know me.”

The activist explained that his initial excitement about Obi’s candidacy was rooted in the possibility of Nigeria’s South East producing a president. He said he even publicly urged Atiku Abubakar to step aside and encouraged Rabiu Kwankwaso to deputise Obi for the sake of opposition unity.

According to him, Obi persistently sought a meeting with him after those comments, but he initially avoided it to prevent being seen as partisan.

When they eventually met, Adeyanju claimed their conversation soured after he questioned Obi on past corruption allegations, including alleged misuse of state resources in Anambra State.

“I raised the issue of him using state resources in Anambra to invest in family businesses. His explanation was that he had resigned from the company before becoming governor. I was flabbergasted,” Adeyanju said. “A man aspiring to be president should see that as abuse of office, but he was justifying it.”

He added that after their heated exchange, Obi allegedly attempted to hand him an envelope, which he interpreted as an inducement.

The revelation comes amid a legal dispute between both men. Obi, through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), had earlier served a letter of demand on Adeyanju, accusing him of publishing defamatory remarks across social media.

Obi’s legal team said the activist’s persistent posts were “false, malicious, and intended to portray our client as corrupt, fraudulent, and intolerant.”

The letter demanded Adeyanju retract the statements, issue a public apology, and publish the same in three national dailies within seven days or face legal action seeking aggravated damages and other remedies.

Adeyanju, however, insists he is merely speaking the truth and is ready to face Obi in court.