Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, has threatened to sue the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2011 gubernatorial election, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, for libel.
A statement released by Airhiavbere’s Campaign Organization had stated that a man, “Israel Odaro from Urhomehe” (the town the Deputy Governor hails from), died in the hospital he was rushed to, after he slumped at the state governorship election petition tribunal on Thursday.
The statement alleged that the deputy governor had brought Mr. Israel to the tribunal on what was termed “some dubious mission”.
But the man who was later identified as Israel Eyinmosan explained that he had been suffering from epilepsy since 1984 when he was in secondary school, adding that he had no relationship whatsoever with the Deputy Governor. He also said he was alive, contrary to speculations making the rounds.
Meanwhile, an angry Odubu, has given the retired general 48 hours to withdraw the statement and tender unreserved apology. He said failure to do so will leave him with no choice but to drag Airhiavbere to court.
The statement by Odubu reads in part: “This attempt to assassinate my character will not go un-redressed.”, he said, explaining that as a responsible citizen of Edo State and Deputy Governor, his concern was to assist a man in distress by calling the authorities of the Central Hospital to take him for treatment.”
“I want to say categorically that this press release is false in its entirety. It is a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character. I want to place it on record that ACN in Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole, do not need juju priests to defend the petition at the tribunal. Every body here knows that that election has been adjudged as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria and indeed Oshiomhole won the election in all the 18 LGAs in Edo state.”
“I have seen desperation in my life but this is the lowest, that human beings can lie in an attempt to divert the attention in court. I see this as diversionary. It is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the crumbling case of Gen.Airhiavbere at the tribunal,” Oshiomole’s deputy said.
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