The political atmosphere in Edo State has become even more charged after Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, formally warned Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of impending legal action for defamation.
In a letter sent by the prominent law firm Banwo & Ighodalo, Ighodalo demanded that Tenebe retract false statements made in a widely circulated video, accusing him of theft. According to the letter, Tenebe had claimed in the video, “Obaseki will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before. Asue Ighodalo will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before.”
Ighodalo’s legal team has described these statements as defamatory and baseless. The letter insists that Tenebe must issue a full retraction, offer a public apology, and ensure no further defamatory remarks are made within seven days.
Should Tenebe fail to comply with the demands, Banwo & Ighodalo has made it clear that legal action will follow. This defamation warning adds to Tenebe’s increasingly controversial reputation.
Earlier this year, Tenebe found himself at the center of a public backlash after making derogatory remarks about the people of Edo State during an appearance on Arise TV. He claimed that Edo citizens were “too poor to afford DSTV,” which sparked widespread criticism and accusations of elitism.
In October, Tenebe was involved in a tense standoff outside the Edo INEC office, where he reportedly instructed APC supporters to destroy vehicles belonging to opposition parties. This was allegedly if they violated time restrictions for inspecting election materials. Such actions have raised concerns over the growing political tensions in the state.
However, it is Tenebe’s recent online altercation with Pharez Okpere, the PDP’s Campaign Council Director of New Media, that has attracted the most attention. The two were engaged in a heated exchange when Tenebe allegedly made a chilling threat. Tenebe reportedly told Okpere, “If I asked you to leave and you refused, you will be killed.”
This threatening statement has caused widespread alarm, particularly over the growing concerns about political violence in Edo State. Okpere, fearing for his safety, has petitioned both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the threat.
The defamation warning from Ighodalo comes at a time when the political landscape in Edo is highly polarized. Ighodalo, a distinguished lawyer and corporate leader, has made it clear that Tenebe’s false allegations have caused him both reputational damage and personal distress.
“This defamation has not only tarnished my reputation but has also caused unnecessary distress,” said Ighodalo in a statement. “These baseless claims are damaging to my personal and professional life, and I will not stand by while my name is smeared.”
While Tenebe has yet to respond publicly to the defamation warning, analysts see this legal move as a significant development in the ongoing battle of words and power in Edo politics. Some observers believe that this could be a turning point in addressing the inflammatory rhetoric that has come to define the state’s political discourse.
The political rivalry between Ighodalo and Tenebe has escalated in the wake of the recent gubernatorial election, and this defamation case further compounds the already intense atmosphere. The PDP and APC camps have been trading accusations, with each party blaming the other for the unrest in the state.
“Enough is enough,” said a source close to Ighodalo. “This is not just about politics. It is about personal integrity. We cannot allow anyone to defame people for political gain.”
Despite the mounting pressure, Tenebe remains silent on the matter. His refusal to respond to the defamation warning raises questions about his next move. Should he ignore the legal demands, it could open the door for further public scrutiny and possibly a court battle.
