Ahead governorship election in Edo State the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu has slammed a legal demand for N10 billion in damages, alongside a retraction and a public apology from the Edo State PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi.
The move comes after a controversial statement, allegedly circulated by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie accusing Ribadu of plotting to rig the upcoming Edo State governorship election in favor of the APC.
On 14 September, Mr. Osagie reportedly disseminated a press release to media outlets, including Premium Times, which accused Ribadu of releasing $2 million to the APC candidate to bribe security agencies and influence the vote. However, Aziegbemi has since distanced himself from the statement, claiming it was not issued by him and attributing it to political mischief-makers.
Ribadu’s lawyer, Marian Aigbedion described the allegations as “entirely false” and damaging to Ribadu’s reputation, further threatening legal action if a retraction and apology are not forthcoming.
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“This malicious and libellous Statement has brought our Client into public disdain and odium. Your portrayal of our Client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo State is entirely false and damaging to his reputation,” the letter addressed to the Edo PDP chairperson, Mr Aziegbemi, said.
The PDP chairman has disclaimed the statement, emphasizing that it was circulated without his authorization and urging the public to disregard it.
“In this election season, all sorts of false statements and forged documents, mischievously ascribed to us, are peddled by persons who do not mean well for our campaign. This is the handiwork of such irresponsible mischief-makers, which should be disregarded in its entirety,” the PDP chairman said.
As tensions rise ahead of the election, the accusations have added fuel to an already volatile political environment in Edo State.
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