The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded the retraction of the allegation levelled against him by the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi, regarding the upcoming governorship election in the South-South state.
Mr Aziegbemi had accused the Federal Government of plotting to rig the election, claiming that Ribadu gave $2 million to the APC gubernatorial candidate in the election as part of the plot.
In a letter dated September 15, 2024, Ribadu’s lawyers, Charles Musa & Co, described the allegation as “totally false” and demanded an immediate retraction.
“This malicious and defamatory statement has made our client the object of public scorn and hatred,” the letter states. “Your portrayal of our client as a facilitator of corruption and his office as an appendage of a political party bent on causing mayhem in Edo State is completely false and damaging to his reputation.”
The lawyers stressed Ribadu’s integrity and commitment to fighting corruption as a career police officer and pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They said it was “inconceivable” that he would be involved in such acts.
The NSA has therefore asked Aziegbemi to publicly apologise and retract the post in its entirety.
It also demanded that the retraction statement be published as “a full-page advertorial in at least five nationally circulated newspapers, ten reputable and widely read online news sites, seven national and international television stations and ten radio channels with national and international reach.”
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The NSA also demanded payment of N10 billion “as compensation for reputational and other damages.”
The lawyers further informed the party chairman that failure to comply with the demands within seven days could force them to take further action, which could include legal action to enforce Mr Ribadu's rights.
