A respected journalist, writer, and columnist, Ike Abonyi, has dismissed social activist Deji Adeyanju’s claim that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, tried to bribe him for political support.

Abonyi revealed that he personally attended the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju before the election, stressing that Adeyanju’s version of the story was completely false.

In a statement released on Friday, Abonyi said that Obi never offered money or any form of gift during the three-hour meeting, contrary to what Adeyanju wrote on social media.

“I was present throughout the meeting between Obi and Deji. None of what Deji is alleging took place. There was no money shared or promised in my presence,” Abonyi explained.

The journalist also reminded the public that in July 2022, Adeyanju had previously claimed Obi was open to taking a political appointment from Bola Tinubu, the then APC candidate—an allegation he (Abonyi) also challenged at the time.

He clarified that the meeting was actually meant to discuss Adeyanju’s possible run for the AMAC House of Representatives seat under Labour Party, not for any kind of financial inducement.

“As a Christian and journalist, it would trouble my conscience to let Deji continue spreading this falsehood. Obi only talked about his personal and political journey, as he always does in public. Nothing more,” he added.

Abonyi further expressed regret that Adeyanju, now a lawyer, continues what he described as a “campaign of blackmail,” urging him to embrace truth and integrity if he truly wishes to succeed in his career.