Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has demanded N25 billion in damages from the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, over alleged defamation and libel.
The governor is also seeking a public apology to be published in three national newspapers, according to a letter issued by his legal counsel.
The demand was conveyed in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by Okpebholo’s lawyer, R.I.D. Okezie, Esq. The letter, addressed to Aziegbemi, is titled “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.”
In the letter, the governor issued a seven-day ultimatum, requiring the PDP chairman to pay the N25 billion damages and publish a retraction and apology in three national dailies or face legal action.
According to the governor, the alleged defamatory statements were contained in a press release issued by Aziegbemi on January 7, 2025, in his capacity as factional chairman of the Edo PDP caretaker committee. The statements, the letter said, were widely circulated in national newspapers and online media platforms.
The governor accused Aziegbemi of making remarks that allegedly damaged his reputation and ridiculed both his personal integrity and the office of governor.
“Our client’s attention has been drawn to a press release issued by you, wherein you repeatedly disparaged the reputation and character of our client and the high office he occupies,” the letter stated.
The legal team maintained that the publications unjustly portrayed the governor in a negative light, undermining a reputation they said he had built over several years in public service, including his time in the National Assembly.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo PDP chairman had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands.