Edo State Governor Calls For Apology Over Defamatory Claims

Governor Monday Okpebholo Demands Apology for Damaging Allegations

Listen up, folks. The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, isn’t messing around. He’s laid down the law with a five-day ultimatum for two prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Chris Nosa Nehikhare, the party's Publicity Secretary, and Shedrach Udugbai, a key party figure. What's this all about? They’ve got until the clock strikes five days to issue a full, no-strings-attached apology for what Governor Okpebholo views as defamatory remarks. These aren’t just any old accusations—they’re heavy-hitting charges that the governor believes tarnish his reputation.

Press Release Sparks Controversy

Now, let’s break this down. Nehikhare, through a press release dated March 19, 2025, allegedly threw some serious shade at Governor Okpebholo. The document, titled “Edo PDP condemns Okpebholo’s ₦200m bribery ploy to buy defection of each assembly member,” accused the governor of engaging in what can only be described as reckless mismanagement of state resources. To top it off, there’s a claim that Governor Okpebholo summoned all councillors from the 18 local councils in Edo State, dangling the tempting offer of ₦2 million each to lure them into defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). These are bold accusations, folks, and Governor Okpebholo isn’t taking them lying down.

Television Appearance Adds Fuel to the Fire

Shedrach Udugbai also had his moment in the spotlight—or should I say, the crosshairs. During an appearance on “This Morning on ITV,” a show broadcast on the Benin-based independent television channel ITV on March 13, 2025, Udugbai didn’t hold back. He claimed that Governor Okpebholo had allegedly bribed three PDP members in the state House of Assembly with a staggering ₦200 million each to jump ship to the APC. That’s a lot of zeroes, and it’s not a charge the governor takes lightly.

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Legal Action Looms Large

The governor’s legal team, Blessing Agbomhere and Taiwo Elizabeth Olorunfemi of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners, has stepped into the ring with a pre-action notice. This document isn’t just a formality—it’s a clear message. The alleged defamatory comments, they argue, could easily be interpreted as suggesting that Governor Okpebholo is a dishonorable man who dabbles in bribery and corruption, showing no regard for the welfare of Edo State. It’s a serious accusation, and the legal team isn’t mincing words.

The pre-action notice goes on to state that these defamatory remarks paint the governor as a dishonest individual who gets things done through bribery and corrupt practices. It further suggests that he’s incapable of managing the affairs of Edo State or holding any public office. These are heavy blows, and the governor’s legal representatives aren’t letting them slide.

Reputation Under Siege

The legal team points out that the widespread dissemination of these accusations, thanks to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, has amplified their reach and impact. This has, they argue, caused significant harm to the governor’s reputation. They’re standing firm, insisting that these allegations are completely false and nothing more than a calculated attempt to damage the governor’s well-earned reputation.

According to the legal representatives, Governor Okpebholo has been widely recognized by Edo indigenes and Nigerians nationwide as one of the few governors excelling in his role, managing state funds with prudence. They emphasize that the governor has no criminal record for financial impropriety or any offense, anywhere in the world. Furthermore, they insist that Governor Okpebholo has never engaged, and never will engage, in bribery or any other financial misconduct.

In the pre-action notice, the legal team expresses bewilderment over why Governor Okpebholo’s name would be dragged into what seems to be an internal party issue regarding lawmakers defecting due to dissatisfaction with party management. They conclude by stating that the statements made against the governor were clearly intended to expose him to public ridicule and damage his well-preserved reputation in the eyes of the public.