The Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has filed a lawsuit against Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, over allegations that Obi is behind the upcoming nationwide protests.

On July 20, 2024, Onanuga took to social media to discuss the protests scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024. He accused Peter Obi and his supporters of organizing the protests and suggested that Obi should be held responsible if any anarchy ensues.

Unhappy with these comments circulating in the media, Obi sought legal action against Onanuga. He demanded a letter of apology to be published in four national dailies: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and The Cable, as well as on Onanuga's verified X page, @aonanuga1956.

Obi also demanded ₦5 billion in damages for the harm caused to his reputation. Through his legal counsel, Alex Ejesieme, Obi stated that the publication was a calculated attempt to demean, ridicule, humiliate, and embarrass him.

"Despite his appellation as 'Okwute' (the Rock), the demeaning and scandalous publication has caused serious emotional injury to our client, given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life," Ejesieme said.

"Consequently, we have our client’s mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than four national dailies: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and The Cable, including your verified X page, @aonanuga1956."