Governor Okpebholo Hits Back with N25 Billion Defamation Suit Against Edo PDP Chair

The political atmosphere in Edo State reached a boiling point this week as Governor Monday Okpebholo initiated a high-stakes legal offensive against the leadership of the opposition. In a move that signals a zero-tolerance policy toward character assassination, the Governor has slapped the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, with a demand for N25 billion in damages.

The legal firestorm stems from a series of statements made by the PDP chairman which the Governor’s legal team describes as a calculated attempt to dismantle a reputation built over decades of public service. The friction between the two political heavyweights has moved from the soapbox to the courtroom, marking a significant escalation in the post-election rivalry that continues to grip the state.

At the heart of the dispute is a formal letter of demand authored by R.I.D. Okezie, Esq., acting on behalf of Governor Okpebholo. The document, dated December 22, 2025, does not mince words, labeling Aziegbemi’s recent public utterances as both libelous and deeply injurious to the office of the Executive Governor.

According to the Governor’s counsel, the offending remarks were contained in a press release issued early in the year, specifically on January 7, 2025. In that document, Aziegbemi, acting in his capacity as the chairman of the PDP’s caretaker committee, allegedly used language that was designed to ridicule and disparage Okpebholo.

The Governor’s legal team contends that these publications were not merely political critiques but were malicious falsehoods spread across national newspapers and digital news platforms. The suit argues that the Governor’s image, meticulously cultivated during his tenure as a Senator of the Federal Republic and now as the state’s helmsman, has been unfairly dragged through the mud.

Beyond the staggering financial penalty of N25 billion, Okpebholo is demanding a public show of remorse. The ultimatum served to the PDP chairman includes a requirement for a formal apology and a full retraction of the statements to be published in three prominent national dailies.

The Governor has given the PDP chairman a strict seven-day window to comply with these demands. This “ticking clock” approach suggests that the state’s number one citizen is prepared to take the matter to a full-blown trial if his terms for restitution are not met within the week.

In the corridors of power in Benin City, the move is seen as an attempt to set a new standard for political discourse. For too long, supporters of the Governor argue, the opposition has enjoyed a “free-fire zone” where allegations are made without the burden of proof, often blurring the line between policy criticism and personal vendetta.

The PDP, however, has historically viewed such legal maneuvers as an attempt to stifle the opposition and silence dissenting voices in the state. While Aziegbemi has yet to issue a formal rebuttal to this specific demand letter, the tension between his faction and the Governor’s administration remains at an all-time high.

The letter signed by Okezie emphasizes that the Governor’s reputation is his most valuable asset, particularly given his transition from the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly to the Government House. The legal brief notes that the words used in the January press release were specifically tailored to bring the Governor into public odium and contempt.

Political analysts in the region are watching the situation closely, noting that a N25 billion demand is one of the highest seen in recent Edo political history. It reflects the gravity with which the administration views the impact of digital-age defamation, where a single press release can reach millions of people globally within seconds.

The Governor’s legal team has signaled that they have documented the spread of the alleged libel across various online organizations, suggesting they are prepared to present a mountain of digital evidence should the matter proceed to litigation. This suggests a modern approach to a classic legal battle, acknowledging the viral nature of modern political communication.

As the seven-day ultimatum counts down, the eyes of the nation are on Edo State. The outcome of this clash could dictate the tone of political engagement for the foreseeable future, either cooling the rhetoric or sparking a protracted legal war between the state’s dominant political forces.

For Governor Okpebholo, this is about more than just money; it is a battle for the integrity of his mandate. For Dr. Aziegbemi, it is a test of the opposition’s resilience in the face of a heavy-hitting legal challenge from the executive.