Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has threatened to sue the Media Director of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Kolawole Olabisi, for alleged defamation.
The Governor, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday, said he has directed his lawyers to sue Olabisi for N5 billion as damages over the defamatory statement issued by the Osun APC Media Director.
Olabisi had accused the Governor of complicity in a viral recording by a supposed PDP chieftain who issued an alleged threat to bomb the state electoral commission and kill top officials of the commission.
He went further to call for the investigation and prosecution of leading leaders of the PDP, including Governor Adeleke for allegedly directing the issuance of the recording by the unnamed PDP chieftain.
Adeleke, who described the allegations as reprehensible, baseless and defamatory, asked Olabisi to retract them or face legal action.
“The allegation is reprehensible, baseless and defamatory. Mr Governor has ordered his lawyers to review the situation and demand retraction as the Governor did not and has not in any way planned or plotted any attack on either INEC or any electoral official.
“Upon failure to retract the offensive publication, the state director faces a potential libel suit with a demand for five billion naira damages. This deliberate falsehood will have consequences.
“Ever since the Edo election, many operatives of Osun APC have been boasting across media platforms to violently rig 2026 governorship elections. We have all the clips of threats and vows to snatch 2026 ballots at all costs.
“As a populist and performing leader, Governor Adeleke is, however, not bothered by those depressive rantings as the Osun PDP possesses electoral deterrence alongside being solidly on ground with the enhanced backing of the people of Osun State.
“As much as we understand that Governor Adeleke’s superlative performance is driving many Osun APC leaders crazy, it is the height of insensitivity and irresponsibility to level such grievous allegations against a state Governor widely known as a man of peace across party lines.
“Governor Adeleke has, therefore, resolved to legally pursue this grave accusation. Fake news will not go without consequences,” the statement read in part.