Okpebholo Demands N25 Billion Damages from PDP State Chairman for Defamation

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has formally demanded N25 billion in damages from Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over alleged defamation and libel.

According to reports, Governor Okpebholo also called for a public apology from Aziegbemi to be published in three national newspapers.

The demands were made in a letter dated December 22, 2025, addressed to Aziegbemi and signed by Okpebholo’s lawyer, R.I.D Okezie, Esq. The letter is titled, “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the executive governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.”

The PDP state chairman has been given a seven-day ultimatum to pay the N25 billion damages and publish a retraction in the specified newspapers.

The letter states, “Our client’s attention has recently been drawn to a press release by you as the Factional Chairman of Edo State PDP, Caretaker Committee on the 7th January, 2025, which has been published by several newspapers in Nigeria and on-line news organizations wherein you repeatedly disparaged the reputation and character of our client and the high office he occupy in this State.”

It further adds, “In the said publication, you published the following words to disparage and ridicule the good reputation and image of our client, which he has meticulously built over the years as a responsible politician, dating back to his days as a Senator in the Nigerian National Assembly.”

Governor Okpebholo’s legal team is pressing for swift action to address what they describe as damaging and false statements against the governor’s character and office.