Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, has given Senator Adams Oshiomhole a seven-day ultimatum to retract allegedly slanderous statements made against him on national television.
In a letter dated August 12, 2024, Ighodalo‘s lawyers, Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, demanded that Oshiomhole issue a private apology and retraction of the statements, as well as a public apology to be published in two national dailies, Vanguard and ThisDay Newspapers, and on Arise TV.
The letter stated that Oshiomhole’s claims about Ighodalo’s candidacy during a recent TV appearance were “wild and unsubstantiated” and had been widely circulated on social media platforms.
If Oshiomhole fails to comply with the demands, Ighodalo’s lawyers warned that they would institute a N20 billion suit against him without further notice.
The letter read in part, “On or about the 7th day of August 2024, our client’s attention was drawn to widely circulated statements made by you while being interviewed on a national television station during its Morning Show programme, touching and concerning our clients.
“These statements have also been seen widely circulated on various social media platforms including ‘X’ (formally called Twitter), ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Facebook’ and others.”
“Oshiomhole should within seven days of receipt of this letter, write a private letter of apology and retraction of the false and defamatory utterances to Ighodalo and a further public letter of apology and retraction that will be published on Arise TV and in two national newspapers, specifically, Vanguard and ThisDay Newspapers.”
“Failure to act on our client’s demands will lead to legal action involving a claim of N20bn for damages without further notice.”
The development comes ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, where Ighodalo is vying for the top seat
