Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has demanded N25 billion in damages from the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, over alleged defamation of character and libel.
InfoStride News reports that the governor also demanded a public apology from the PDP chairman, to be published in three national newspapers.
The demands were contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and addressed to Aziegbemi by the governor’s lawyer, R.I.D. Okezie, Esq.
The letter, titled “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” gave Aziegbemi a seven-day ultimatum to pay the N25 billion damages and publish a retraction and apology in three national dailies.
According to the letter, the governor’s attention was drawn to a press statement allegedly issued by Aziegbemi on January 7, 2025, in his capacity as factional chairman of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee.
The letter stated that the publication, which was reportedly circulated in several newspapers and online platforms, contained statements that disparaged the reputation and character of the governor and the office he occupies.
“Our client’s attention has recently been drawn to a press release by you as the factional chairman of Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee on January 7, 2025, which has been published by several newspapers in Nigeria and online news organisations, wherein you repeatedly disparaged the reputation and character of our client and the high office he occupies in this state,” the letter read in part.
The governor maintained that the statements were defamatory and damaging to his reputation, which he said he had built over the years as a public office holder, dating back to his tenure as a senator in the National Assembly.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would compel the governor to explore all legal options available to him.
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