The Edo State Government has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Mr Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor to retract and apologise for an allegedly defamatory social media post.
Failure to comply, the government warned, will result in both civil and criminal legal action.
This warning was contained in an official letter signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie, dated Sunday, 8 June.
The government condemned the viral post circulated on Friday, 6 June, which accused the administration of irregularities and incompetence.
It described Ifaluyi-Isibor’s post as malicious and defamatory towards Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the Edo State Executive Council.
According to the government, the publication was baseless and intended to discredit the governor and his cabinet.
The post allegedly claimed that only three Executive Council meetings had been held in eight months and further alleged that the governor primarily resides in Abuja.
It also accused the governor of manipulating contract awards from the capital and hoarding state funds in preparation for a Supreme Court judgment.
The alleged savings were said to relate to contracts initiated under the previous administration.
Dr Osagie dismissed the claims as “completely false,” stating that the government had held several council meetings.
He noted that these meetings had led to significant decisions, including the ongoing construction of flyovers in Benin City.
The government accused Ifaluyi-Isibor of criminal defamation and reiterated its intention to pursue legal action in the absence of an apology.
It demanded that a public apology and retraction be issued across all social media platforms and published in at least one national newspaper.
“This publication amounts to criminal defamation,” said the Attorney General, warning of prosecution through the appropriate security agencies.
The government’s position reflects its firm stance against misinformation and efforts to tarnish its image ahead of the 2027 general elections.
