Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has demanded an apology from two prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party, who recently accused him of involvement in bribery.
The allegations were made by Chris Nehikhare, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, and Shedrach Udugbai, a PDP member, leading to a legal response from the Governor.
In a statement issued by his legal counsels, Blessing Agbomhere and Taiwo Olorunfemi, Governor Okpebholo accused the two PDP stalwarts of orchestrating defamatory statements aimed at damaging his reputation.
The Governor’s legal team has given the two leaders a five-day ultimatum to issue an unreserved apology, or face legal action.
According to the legal representatives, Nehikhare made the initial defamatory remarks in a press release on March 19, 2025, titled “Edo PDP Condemns Okpebholo’s N200m Bribery Ploy to Buy Defection of Each Assembly Member… Reckless Misappropriation of State Resources.” Nehikhare alleged that the Governor attempted to bribe local councilors with N2 million each to defect from their political party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Further accusations came from Udugbai, who, on the March 13, 2025, edition of the ITV program “This Morning,” claimed that Governor Okpebholo bribed three members of the Edo State House of Assembly with N200 million each to join the APC.
The Governor’s legal team has expressed concerns that these defamatory comments could tarnish his reputation. The statement claims the accusations portray the Governor as “a dishonorable man who engages in bribery and corruption,” and as “a dishonest person incapable of managing the affairs of Edo State.”
Dr. Agbomhere, one of the Governor’s legal counsels, expressed his concerns over the wide dissemination of these allegations, which were broadcast on various social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. He described the allegations as false and a deliberate attempt to damage the Governor’s reputation.
“The allegations are wholly false and a calculated attempt to damage the Governor’s hard-earned reputation,” Agbomhere stated, emphasizing that the Governor is widely regarded as a competent leader who manages state resources prudently. Prior to his role as Governor, Okpebholo served as a distinguished Senator, with a record of exemplary public service.
The legal team further pointed out that there has been no evidence of financial misconduct or criminal behavior by Governor Okpebholo, noting that he has never been arrested, charged, or convicted for any financial impropriety, either in Nigeria or elsewhere.
The legal notice also criticized the PDP leaders for targeting the Governor amidst internal party issues, particularly the defection of lawmakers dissatisfied with how the PDP is being managed.
“The irresistible conclusion to be drawn is that your statements were intended to expose our client to public ridicule and denigrate his well-preserved reputation,” the pre-action notice read in part.
Governor Okpebholo also revealed that since the publication of the allegations, he has been flooded with inquiries from friends, political associates, and Nigerians both locally and internationally, causing him significant distress and humiliation. He emphasized that he had neither solicited nor had prior knowledge of the lawmakers’ defections.
In response, the Governor’s legal team has called for the retraction of the defamatory statements. They have requested that the retraction be published through the same media platforms that broadcast the original allegations, including all social media channels. Additionally, they are demanding a public apology in two national newspapers within five days, or they will pursue legal action.