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The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has threatened to file a N10 billion defamation suit against Primate Elijah Ayodele, demanding an immediate retraction and apology over alleged defamatory remarks.
The warning was contained in a legal letter dated June 11, 2026, issued by his lawyers, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, & Co., and made public on Wednesday.
In the letter, Kwankwaso’s legal team accused the cleric of making false, malicious and derogatory statements that have damaged their client’s reputation.
The lawyers said Ayodele, during a public address that was recorded and widely circulated online, claimed that Kwankwaso was not trustworthy.
“Kwankwaso is a fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you. Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi,” the letter quoted the cleric as saying.
He described the statements as deliberate, premeditated, false and unsubstantiated.
He added that they were aimed at portraying Kwankwaso as deceitful and insincere.
According to the letter, the publication has been trending across social media platforms and reported by both local and international media, thereby causing reputational harm.
Kwankwaso’s lawyers demanded that Ayodele issue a full retraction and apology within 24 hours.
“That you immediately within twenty-four (24) hours publish a full, direct and unequivocal retraction of and apology for the false, malicious and defamatory publication,” the letter stated.
They also asked the cleric to provide a written undertaking to stop publishing any further defamatory statements against their client.
The legal team warned that failure to comply would lead to court action.
“Take notice that if you neglect, fail or refuse to accede to our demands, we have our client’s instruction to take out appropriate legal proceedings wherein we shall claim damages to the tune of ten billion naira,” the letter added.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a prominent political figure, said the statements were intended to tarnish his image and create division among his supporters.
Kwankwaso threatens N10bn defamation suit against Primate Ayodele
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