On Thursday, Sowore demanded that Peter Obi, his counterpart from the Labour Party and a former governor of Anambra State, publicly apologize to Peoples Gazette, an online newspaper, for defaming and slandering their efforts.
Sowore, who is the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the upcoming 2023 presidential election, stated that Obi must apologize for failing to follow through on his threat to sue The Gazette over a leaked audio conversation between Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
The leaked audio, published by The Gazette, revealed Obi telling Bishop Oyedepo that the presidential election was a “religious war,” with Obi repeatedly saying “Yes, Daddy” during their conversation.
Initially, Obi denied the authenticity of the audio, claiming it was fake and the handiwork of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also threatened to take legal action against Peoples Gazette for defamation and libel, and demanded that the source of the leaked audio be revealed at trial.
However, The Gazette’s Deputy Managing Editor, Boladale Adekoya, stated that the newspaper stood by its publication and would protect the source of the leaked audio.
Despite Obi’s threat to sue, Sowore noted that Obi’s lawyers had not sent any letter requesting a retraction or apology from The Gazette even after more than seven days had passed since Obi’s initial threat.
Sowore called Obi’s threat a distraction and accused him of lying, insisting that Obi must apologize to The Gazette for denigrating and libelously slandering their efforts.
Sowore made these statements on his Twitter handle.
