*Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria鈥檚 National Security Adviser, demands retraction of an allegation Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, has levelled against him regarding the forthcoming governorship election in the South-South state in the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), in Nigeria, has demanded retraction of an allegation Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, preferred against him regarding the forthcoming governorship election in the South-South state.

Mr. Aziegbemi had accused the Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Office of the NSA of planning to rig the gubernatorial election, claiming Malam Ribadu had released $2 million to the APC governorship candidate in the election as part of the plot.

Reacting to the sweeping allegation against him, Charles Musa & Co, Ribadu鈥檚 lawyers, in a letter dated September 15, 2024, however, described the allegation as 鈥渢otally false鈥�, and demanded immediate retraction on behalf of his client (NSA).

The letter stated: 鈥淭his malicious and libelous statement has brought our client into public disdain and odium.

鈥淵our 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.鈥�

The lawyers also affirmed Ribadu鈥檚 integrity and commitment to fighting corruption as a career Police officer and pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the country.

According to them, it is deemed 鈥渋nconceivable鈥� for him to be involved in such acts.

Ribadu, in the letter, therefore, asked Mr. Aziegbemi of PDP to publicly apologise to him and retract the publication in its entirety through enumerated print, electronic and online publications in Nigeria and overseas.

The letter equally demanded his retraction statement to be published as 鈥渁 full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers, ten reputable and well-read online news sites, seven national and international television stations and ten radio channels with national and international reach.鈥�

The NSA also demanded the payment of N10 billion 鈥渁s damages for reputational and other injuries鈥�.

The lawyers as well informed Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of PDP, that failure to comply with the stated demands within seven days might compel them to take further steps, including legal action to enforce Malam Ribadu鈥檚 rights within the confines of the law.