Politics
Ighodalo Drags Edo APC Chairman To Court Over Viral Defamation Video
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last Edo State governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has filed a ₦500 million defamation lawsuit against the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe.
The suit, which was filed at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, seeks damages, a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement, and a public apology from Tenebe.
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The case stems from a statement made by Tenebe in a viral video on December 10, 2024, where he accused Ighodalo of corruption and misappropriation of state funds.
In the video, Tenebe alleged, “Asue Ighodalo will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before.”
The controversial remarks were made in response to a gaffe by Governor Monday Okpebholo during the presentation of his ₦605 billion budget estimates to the Edo State House of Assembly.
Prior to filing the lawsuit, Ighodalo, through his legal representatives, Banwo and Ighodalo, issued a pre-action notice on December 11, 2024, demanding an apology and a retraction of the statement within seven days.
However, Tenebe, through his lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, denied any wrongdoing and refused to comply with the demands.
“We further want to state unequivocally that our client did not defame your client in any way, and as such, there is no need for a public apology or retraction of comments made in the alleged video,” Agbomhere said in a written response.
“But if your client decides to stretch this issue further by going to court, we will rely on the defence of justification in accordance with the report of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee, whose report indicted your client, and the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee.”
In his suit, Ighodalo argues that the viral video was intended to damage his reputation and expose him to public ridicule.
He claims the statement has caused significant distress and embarrassment, as many of his colleagues, business partners, and stakeholders have questioned the allegations.
“Undoubtedly, this development has exposed our Client to great distress, hurt, and humiliation,” the pre-action notice stated.
Ighodalo is urging the court to order Tenebe to issue a public apology and retraction within seven days of the judgment, alongside awarding him ₦500 million in damages for the harm caused to his reputation.
The case is scheduled to be heard by Justice A.O. Opesanwo on March 5, 2025.
Politics
Atiku Bombs Tinubu Over Violence In Osun State
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The widespread violence which engulfed Osun State over Local Government Election, marked by bloodshed over the weekend, is being widely condemned in Nigeria’s political circles.
In frowning at the aberration, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s November 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar insisted that “the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs”.
The former vice president of Nigeria, vented his anger on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement on his social media handles/pages on Tuesday, insinuating that that level of violence would not have been possible without the backing of the APC at national level.
ALSO READ: Atiku Condemns Armed Desecration Of LSHA
He asserted that “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honored warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
Atiku commended the people of Osun State for displaying courage in defence of democracy and the rights to choose their leaders.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression,” he stated.
Atiku wrote, “Nigerians bore witness to a chilling display of lawlessness yesterday, as the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs — through sheer political brigandage and the subversion of democracy.
“In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force. Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats. And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence.
“Had it not been for the fearless resistance of Osun people — who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers — democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.
“Let this be clear: Osun State will never bow to anti-democratic forces. The people have shown beyond doubt that they will not allow their electoral rights to be stolen, no matter the level of intimidation.
“We demand that security agencies deployed for Saturday’s elections uphold their constitutional duty with professionalism, refusing to be used as enforcers of APC’s criminal agenda. The world is watching.
“These are dangerous times. The APC has abandoned any pretence of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power — even as the people have overwhelmingly rejected it.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression.
“Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honored warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
“President Bola A. Tinubu and his dwindling band of enablers must cease their reckless acts of political sabotage — not just in Osun or Lagos, but across Nigeria. The people demand governance, not chaos. Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.
“Enough is enough. –AA”
Politics
Atiku Condemns Armed Desecration Of LSHA
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The political power-play in Lagos State, which culminated in the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) is being met with widespread condemnation.
Top among eminent Nigerians frowning at the bizarre incident is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s November 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.
ALSO READ: Power-Play: Security Operatives Seal LSHA
Atiku took to his social media accounts to lament that it “is an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate”.
The former Vice President asserted that “by so doing,” they put “our hard-earned democracy in jeopardy”.
He wrote, “The viral video of armed security operatives invading the Lagos State House of Assembly is utterly reprehensible and stands condemned. It must be subjected to a full and thorough investigation.
“It is bewildering that the invading operatives reportedly have a mandate to enforce a leadership change in the House.
“It is appalling that it is those who claimed to have fought for democracy that decided to sanction this crass desecration of the state’s foremost legislative body, and by so doing, putting our hard-earned democracy in jeopardy.
“This act is an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos.
“Whatever may have caused the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is an undercurrent that is not abnormal in a system of democracy.
“The purported invitation of armed security operatives for a conflict resolution in a parliament is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency.
“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into rather than interfering in the state matters. -AA”
Biztellers reports that armed security operatives on Monday invaded and sealed the LSHA complex, in what unconfirmed reports say was an attempt to force a leadership change.
Politics
Tinubu Calls For African Credit Rating Agency
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Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared his strong support for an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA).
This was revealed in a statehouse statement on Sunday night, by the Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu, the statement has it, noted that it would provide fairer, more transparent credit assessments for African economies.
“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” the President said.
President Tinubu commended the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their visionary leadership in advancing an African framework for financing development among member states.
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He noted that the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) is crucial as the continent continues to face significant challenges, including rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilisation, and limited access to long-term affordable financing.
“The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent.
“This mechanism is envisioned to support member states in achieving their national development objectives, and it will also help create economic opportunities for citizens,” he said.
The Nigerian leader acknowledged the significant progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, which reached key decisions.
“The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he said.