The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has reiterated his stance on allegations of corruption against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Tenebe declared that he owes Ighodalo no apology, maintaining that his claims are supported by official reports.
This position was outlined in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Tenebe’s lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere. According to Agbomhere, Tenebe’s comments were not defamatory and do not warrant a public apology or retraction.
“We want to state unequivocally that our client did not defame your client in any way, and as such, there is no need for a public apology or retraction of comments made in the alleged video,” Agbomhere said. “If your client decides to pursue this matter in court, we will rely on the defence of justification, based on the report of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee and the preliminary findings of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee, both of which indicted your client.”
The controversy erupted after Tenebe, in a viral video dated December 10, accused Ighodalo of corruption and misappropriation of state funds. The video followed an incident where Governor Monday Okpebholo stumbled while presenting the state’s N605 billion budget to the Edo House of Assembly.
In the video, Tenebe remarked, “I don’t know figures. You see, that is how to know original and innocent people. 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.” He defended Okpebholo’s error as a “normal thing,” citing a similar mistake by former South African President Jacob Zuma.
In response, Ighodalo’s legal team, led by Banwo and Ighodalo law firm in Lagos, issued a letter to Tenebe on December 11. They demanded an unreserved apology and a retraction of the allegations within seven days.
However, Tenebe has remained defiant. He cited reports from the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee and the Edo State Asset Verification Committee, which he claims implicated Ighodalo. These reports stem from Ighodalo’s tenure as an economic adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
With both sides firmly entrenched, the allegations and counterclaims are expected to heighten tensions in Edo State’s political landscape as the governorship race intensifies.
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