Veteran journalist, author, and columnist, Ike Abonyi, has dismissed recent allegations by human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, attempted to offer him money in exchange for political support.

Abonyi, who disclosed that he personally arranged and attended the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju ahead of the 2023 elections, insisted that no such offer was ever made.

In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, Abonyi described Adeyanju’s claims as false and misleading.

“It pains me to publicly disagree with a friend, but I cannot remain silent while untruths are being spread,” Abonyi wrote. “Deji Adeyanju recently claimed that he withdrew support for Mr. Obi after Obi admitted to investing Anambra State funds in his family business. I was present at that meeting, which lasted about three hours, and at no point did Obi make such a statement or offer money. I was deeply shocked when I read Deji’s post.”

Abonyi revealed that immediately after reading Adeyanju’s July 26, 2022, tweet, he sent him a private message:

“Deji, did you and Obi meet again apart from the one I attended? Haba! I’m shocked. You are free to support anyone you choose, but blackmailing with falsehoods is not right. You didn’t even consider our friendship.”

He added that this was not the first time Adeyanju had made negative remarks about Obi. On July 9, 2022, following another post where Adeyanju suggested Obi could accept a political appointment from APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, Abonyi said he reached out again:

>“My brother, when did it get to this? Obi is not looking for any job Tinubu has to offer. Even if you no longer support the Obi project, please stay on issues that will protect your reputation.”

Abonyi said Adeyanju never responded to his messages or answered his calls, despite his efforts to settle the matter privately.

He stressed that throughout the meeting, no financial inducement was offered or promised, noting that Obi simply shared his personal and political journey—stories he had publicly repeated many times before.

The journalist further recalled that Adeyanju had, on several occasions in the past, openly described Obi as the best candidate and had even encouraged him to leave the PDP to pursue his presidential ambition elsewhere.

“Adeyanju has every right to withdraw his support from Obi if he chooses,” Abonyi stated. “But what he must not do is base his change of position on lies and unfounded claims.”

The Imo State Government has announced new policies aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and strengthening focus on academics in schools.

In a memo dated August 15, 2025, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, directed that graduation parties for nursery pupils and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students are no longer allowed. Going forward, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies, in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.

“The Ministry is committed to providing quality and functional education to every child in the state,” Ikegwuoha said. “Graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 are hereby abolished. The focus must remain on celebrating academic milestones at the completion of primary and secondary education cycles.”

The Commissioner also condemned the frequent change of textbooks in private and faith-based schools, describing it as an unnecessary financial strain on families. He ordered that approved textbooks must be retained for at least four years to enable siblings and other students to reuse them.

“School proprietors are hereby warned to desist from the annual change of textbooks,” Ikegwuoha stressed. “Maintaining a stable textbook list for four years will not only cut costs for parents but also create a more consistent and effective learning environment.”

According to the Ministry, these measures are part of efforts to build a more stable, affordable, and student-centered education system in Imo State.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has put on hold his plan to collect his African Democratic Congress (ADC) membership card, a move that has sparked fresh speculation about former President Goodluck Jonathan’s possible return to the 2027 presidential race. Reports suggest the ADC may be making moves to woo Jonathan.

Atiku, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after months of internal crisis, was scheduled to formalize his ADC membership in a public ceremony in Jada, Adamawa State, on Wednesday, August 6.

The event, to be overseen by senior ADC leaders, has now been postponed indefinitely. Atiku’s camp has not given any official explanation for the sudden change in plans.