Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2024 Edo governorship election, has voiced intentions to take legal action against Jarrett Tenebe, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing allegations of defamation.
In a legal notice issued by the law firm Banwo & Ighodalo, Ighodalo has indicated his intention to pursue legal action against Tenebe if a retraction and apology are not forthcoming.
The controversy arose following a notable incident where Governor Monday Okpebholo faced challenges delivering the 2025 budget proposal to the Edo State House of Assembly. During his presentation, the governor struggled to articulate key figures, a situation that prompted laughter in the chamber and sparked an online discussion.
In his response to the governor’s misstep, Tenebe released a video where he claimed that Ighodalo had pilfered billions, suggesting that such a blunder would not occur under his or Governor Godwin Obaseki’s watch—both of whom he accused of past corruption.
In light of these remarks, Ighodalo has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Tenebe, demanding a complete retraction of the statements made, a public apology, and a commitment to refrain from further defamatory comments.
As the parties prepare for potential court proceedings, the implications of this dispute highlight the increasingly contentious nature of the political landscape in Edo State.
