The Edo State Government has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Mr. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, demanding a full public retraction and apology for what it describes as a defamatory and malicious social media publication targeting Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo and members of the state executive council.
The warning was contained in a formal letter dated June 8, 2025, and signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Dr. Samson R. Osagie.
The government said the post, published on June 6, made “false, damaging, and criminally reckless” allegations against the current administration.
According to the viral post, the Governor had only convened three Executive Council meetings in eight months, was running the state from Abuja, and was allegedly stockpiling state funds to influence an anticipated Supreme Court judgment related to past government contracts. It also accused the administration of manipulating the contract award process.
In response, Dr. Osagie dismissed the claims as “deliberate falsehoods” aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the government. He emphasized that since assuming office less than eight months ago, Governor Okpebholo has held several Council meetings and has made significant developmental strides, including the commencement of major infrastructure projects such as flyovers in Benin City.
“This is not criticism—it is outright defamation backed by zero evidence,” Osagie said. “It is criminal in nature, and we are prepared to hold the author accountable before the law.”
The state government demanded an unqualified apology and retraction to be published across all of Mr. Ifaluyi-Isibor’s social media platforms and in a widely circulated national newspaper. Failure to comply within 24 hours, the government warned, will trigger civil and criminal proceedings against him.
The Attorney General stated plainly: “You will be required to substantiate these baseless allegations in a court of law. We intend to proceed through the appropriate security and legal channels.”
This development signals a firm stance by the Edo State Government against what it sees as coordinated online propaganda aimed at weakening public trust in the leadership as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Monday Okpebholo
