The National Security Adviser, NSA, to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu, has written to the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi for alleged defamation. The NSA is, therefore, demanding the sum of N10 billion as damages.
Recall that the PDP State Chairman had on Saturday accused Ribadu of being part of an alleged plot to rig the Edo State governorship election.
Reacting, Ribadu through his legal teams wrote a letter dated September 15, 2024, and addressed to Dr Aziegbemi. The letter was signed by Marian D. Aigbedion for and on behalf of Charles Musa & Co.
According to the letter, titled: “Defamatory Publication Against Mallam Nuhu Ribadu”, the PDP Chairman had issued a statement in which he accused the NSA of ordering the release of $2m to the APC to buy votes. And to bribe security agencies in the September 21, governorship election in Edo State.
The letter reads in part: “We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (our client) in respect to your press statement titled, ‘Edo 2024: Presidency’s Move to Interfere, Manipulate Guber Poll Using DSS, NSA uncovered’.
“The publication falsely alleged inter alia that $2m was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies. This malicious and libelous statement has brought our client into public disdain and odium.
“Your portrayal of our client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo State is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.”
Ribadu also demanded the Edo PDP Chairman to write an apology to him. And to publish a retraction of the statement in at least five national newspapers.
Ribadu also demanded that the retraction should be made in 10 reputable and well-read online news sites. Seven national and international television stations and 10 radio channels with national and international reach.
The NSA threatened to take a legal action against the Edo State PDP Chairman if the demands were not met within seven days.
The PDP State Chairman has not responded to the letter as of the time of this report.
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