The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has given a three-day ultimatum to the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Jarrett Tenebe, to withdraw defamatory comments against him or face formal court proceedings.
Naija News reports that Tenebe, in an interview, said Ighodalo stole vehicles from the state government.
In a letter dated December 18 and addressed to Tenebe, Abimbola Akeredolu, a lawyer at Banwo & Ighodalo, a firm founded by Ighodalo, said Tenebe has continued with his claims despite a letter asking him to retract them.
Akeredolu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said they would pursue all legal remedies if the defamatory statements are not retracted within the stipulated timeframe.
He said, “[The accusations are] libelous, reckless, and unfounded.”
Also, the chairman of the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO), Erhabor Emokpae, refuted the allegations in a statement, describing them as a calculated smear campaign aimed at distracting the public and tarnishing Ighodalo’s reputation.
TAMO clarified that Alaghodaro, which Ighodalo chaired, is a private-sector-led initiative that fosters economic growth and investments in Edo State.
The statement also highlighted Ighodalo’s integrity and selflessness, noting that he has personally funded his expenses throughout his 16 years of public service, including his time as Chairman of Alaghodaro.
The accusations regarding the theft of government vehicles were dismissed as baseless, absurd, and unsupported by any evidence.
