The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the September 21, 2024, Edo State election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has filed a N20 billion lawsuit against Senator Adams Oshiomhole over alleged defamatory statements.

Oshiomhole had claimed during a political rally in Benin City on September 14, 2024, that Ighodalo was involved in a Ponzi scheme known as ‘Planwell,’ which defrauded several Nigerians.

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Ighodalo, through his legal team, Ayo Asala, SAN & Associates, is demanding an immediate retraction of the accusations, as well as an unreserved apology, to be aired on two national television stations and published in three national newspapers.

Ighodalo dismissed the allegations as baseless and malicious, accusing Oshiomhole of fabricating the story to tarnish his reputation for political gain.

The PDP candidate’s legal counsel stated that the false claims had already caused significant damage to Ighodalo’s reputation, as the remarks were broadcast live and widely circulated on social media.

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Ighodalo emphasized that he has no connection with the ‘Planwell’ scheme and that Oshiomhole’s allegations were intended to harm his standing as a respected legal and corporate professional.

The letter, dated September 16, 2024, gave Oshiomhole the option to either issue the retraction and pay the N20 billion in damages, or face legal action.

Ighodalo reiterated his commitment to ensuring that these defamatory statements would not go unchallenged.

Political leaders from Ogoni and Oyigbo, Rivers State, have united to demand a power shift to their region in the upcoming 2027 governorship election.

During a meeting at Tai, the Ogoni/Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, which included cross-party leaders such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, and Chief Victor Giadom, resolved to push for a governorship candidate from their area.

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The assembly was organized to discuss the future of the region’s political standing and to strategize for the post-Governor Siminalayi Fubara era.

The leaders criticized the current governor’s fallout with his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and expressed their continued support for Wike’s leadership.

Senator Mpigi, reading a communique after the meeting, called for political parties to back a candidate from the Ogoni/Oyigbo area, as they are part of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, which has yet to produce a governor.

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He emphasized that their region is prepared to take on the leadership role and will actively pursue the governorship seat in the 2027 election.

The leaders also expressed appreciation for Wike’s role in uniting Ogoni and Oyigbo people and reaffirmed their loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, calling for his re-election in 2027 to continue his economic reforms.

Mpigi and other leaders commended Wike’s achievements both as a governor and in his current role as FCT minister.

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The assembly also issued a warning to Chief Edwin Clark, urging him to refrain from making divisive remarks about Wike.

They accused Clark of prioritizing Ijaw interests at the expense of other ethnic groups in Rivers State and called for unity among the people of the state.

In addition, the assembly threw its support behind the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 27 lawmakers, condemning the actions of caretaker committees in local governments as wasteful.

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The leaders expressed confidence in their capacity to unite with other ethnic groups within Rivers State, including the Ikwerre, Orashi, Etche, and Ijaw communities, to ensure their candidate’s victory in 2027.

They declared that this is their moment to fight for the development, education, and empowerment of their people and secure the governorship seat.

The meeting ended with a call for unity and peace, stressing that the Ogoni and Oyigbo regions are determined to play a significant role in shaping the political future of Rivers State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

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Both Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP leadership have raised concerns about Onuoha’s ties to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, suggesting that this connection could compromise the election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemhin, formally escalated the issue by submitting a protest letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, asking for Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.

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The letter highlighted Onuoha’s previous role as Commissioner and Special Adviser under Wike’s administration when he was Rivers State governor, as well as their familial relationship.

Wike, during a televised interview, acknowledged the family link but defended Onuoha’s ability to carry out his duties impartially.

INEC, however, firmly rejected the PDP’s request, stating that the election would be managed transparently and according to the law.

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Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, responded by urging the PDP to focus on the electoral process rather than the REC.

He emphasized that the election results would be declared at polling units by Presiding Officers in the presence of party agents and observers.

Oyekanmi reassured the public that INEC would ensure a level playing field for all candidates.

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INEC also reiterated that it does not rig elections, citing its successful handling of previous governorship elections in Edo State in 2016 and 2020.

The commission promised to conduct a transparent election, with results visible on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for public accountability.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for calm ahead of the election.

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IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle urged stakeholders to view the election as a democratic process, not as a battleground, and to prioritize peace and fairness during the exercise.