By Kingsley Ohens
The recent unrelenting campaign of calumny against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, by the Acting Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe has been condemned by Team Asue Media Organization TAMO, describing it as tissues of unfounded and defamatory claims.
TAMO in a statement signed by Erhabor Emokpae in Benin City on Wednesday said it “categorically refuted these unfounded and defamatory claims made against Mr. Asue Ighodalo.”
TAMO added that “This campaign of calumny, orchestrated by Jarrett Tenebe, is consistent with his history as a known merchant of blatant falsehoods and malicious allegations. His outlandish and unsubstantiated accusations that Mr. Ighodalo has “stolen 21 government vehicles” and improperly “awarded his firm, Banwo & Ighodalo, government business” are entirely false, without evidence, cannot be countenanced and must be dismissed out of hand.”
TAMO then stated that the unalloyed facts are: Alaghodaro is a private-sector initiative and contrary to Jarrett Tenebe’s misleading assertions, is not a government agency. It is a private-sector-led initiative established and primarily funded by the private sector, to promote investments and foster economic growth in Edo State. “Incontrovertibly, Alaghodaro – under Mr. Ighodalo’s tenure as Chairman – facilitated meaningful partnerships between the state and private investors, which generated tangible benefits for Edo State and its people.
“Starting in 2008 when he served on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s economic team and throughout his tenure as Chairman of Alaghodaro, Mr.Ighodalo has personally funded all his own expenses. On occasion, he even stepped in with personal resources to meet Alaghodaro needs. Indeed, in the 16 years of that public service role spanning the tenures of two governors, Mr. Ighodalo never received any allowances or emoluments.”
TAMO insisted that at no point has Mr. Ighodalo, as Chairman of Alaghodaro, used his position to benefit Banwo & Ighodalo or himself personally. The firm, globally recognised as one of Nigeria’s foremost law firms, competes for and wins mandates on merit, reputation and professionalism alone, maintaining the highest ethical standards.
“The claim that Mr. Ighodalo “stole 21 government vehicles” is not only untrue but also absurd. Asue Ighodalo has never been assigned, allocated or been involved in the misappropriation of government property. These unfounded allegations serve only to distract from pressing issues in Edo State.
“The continued dissembling by Jarrett Tenebe is unacceptable. These defamatory statements are a deliberate attempt to tarnish Mr. Ighodalo’s reputation and undermine his contributions to Edo State. Mr. Ighodalo’s legal team at Banwo & Ighodalo have commenced action to expand the scope of pending defamation proceedings to include these new allegations.”
“Therefore, in response to the continued spread of defamatory and baseless allegations by Tenebe, Banwo & Ighodalo has taken decisive legal action.
Following a previous demand in a letter dated December 11, 2024, which requested a retraction and apology for earlier slanderous assertions, Mr. Tenebe chose instead to escalate his baseless attacks. In a recent interview with TMC TV/Radio on December 17, 2024, Mr. Tenebe falsely claimed that Mr. Ighodalo had “stolen 21 government vehicles” and improperly awarded business to his law firm, Banwo & Ighodalo. As a result, court proceedings have now been initiated against him and others, including Mr. Kelly Okungbowa and Mr. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, Chairman and Spokesman, respectively, of the Edo State Government Vehicle and Asset Recovery Committee, for their roles in propagating these malicious fabrications.”
It then called for decency in public discourse, saying
“It is imperative that public figures uphold the values of truth, accountability, and respect in their statements. Attempts to weaponise misinformation for personal or political gain only erode public trust and damage our democratic institutions.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to reject these baseless accusations and focus on the facts. Mr. Ighodalo remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the advancement of Edo State.”
