Edo Assembly Urged to Suspend Clearance of Hon. Gani Audu Amid Public Interest Petition

Benin City, February 5, 2026

A petition calling for the suspension of the clearance and confirmation of Hon. Gani Audu for any public office has been formally submitted to the Edo State House of Assembly, raising concerns about public accountability, transparency, and freedom of expression in the state.

The petition was filed by Kings & Goodman (Solicitors), acting on behalf of a concerned citizen, Mr. Aseghilemhe Job. According to the petition, the matter is framed not as a personal dispute but as an issue of public interest with implications for democratic governance in Edo State.

The petition follows a letter dated February 2, 2026, allegedly issued by a law firm acting for Hon. Gani Audu, which threatened legal action against Mr. Job over a Facebook video he posted under the name “President 204.” The video reportedly contained commentary and opinions relating to Hon. Audu’s public conduct.

In the petition, the solicitors argue that the threat of litigation and an accompanying demand for ₦2 billion in damages amounts to intimidation and an attempt to suppress civic expression. They maintain that their client’s comments were expressions of opinion and public concern rather than criminal allegations.

The document emphasizes that the Nigerian Constitution places a duty on citizens to speak out when public interest is perceived to be at risk. It further asserts that individuals seeking public office must be able to withstand public scrutiny and respond to concerns through lawful and transparent processes rather than intimidation.

The petition urges the Edo State House of Assembly to apply what it describes as a “fit and proper” test before confirming Hon. Audu for any public position. Specifically, it calls for an independent and transparent investigation into all allegations, rumors, and public concerns surrounding his public record, as well as open communication of findings to the people of Edo State.

“No one is above accountability,” the petition states, adding that threats of litigation cannot replace due process, especially where issues of public trust are involved.

As part of its formal requests, the petition asks the House of Assembly to suspend or reject any clearance process involving Hon. Audu, institute a full inquiry into the issues raised, and invite relevant agencies to independently verify and report their findings.

The solicitors note that their client remains open to any lawful investigation and insists that the petition was submitted in good faith, in defense of democratic values and the right of citizens to raise concerns about governance.

At the time of filing this report, the Edo State House of Assembly had not issued an official response to the petition, and Hon. Gani Audu had not publicly commented on the matter.