Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has demanded ₦25 billion in damages from the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, over alleged defamation of character and libel.
According to reports, the governor also demanded a public apology from the PDP state chairman, to be published in three national daily newspapers.
The demands were contained in a letter dated 22 December 2025, addressed to Aziegbemi and signed by the governor’s lawyer, R.I.D. Okezie, Esq.
The letter, titled “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” accused Aziegbemi of making defamatory statements against the governor.
Governor Okpebholo reportedly gave the PDP chairman a seven-day ultimatum to pay the ₦25 billion damages and publish a retraction in three national dailies.
Parts of the letter stated that the governor’s attention was drawn to a press release allegedly issued by Aziegbemi, described as the factional chairman of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee, on 7 January 2025.
The release was said to have been widely circulated by newspapers and online media platforms, allegedly containing statements that disparaged the governor’s reputation and the office he occupies.
The letter further claimed that the publication ridiculed the governor’s image, which it said he had built over the years as a responsible politician, dating back to his time as a senator in the National Assembly.
