Newspaper Publication: Ize-Iyamu Threatens Edo Governor’s Aide, Demands ₦2 Billion

Edo South senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has denied allegations that he cloned the front page of Vanguard newspaper to suggest that he had won the party’s senatorial ticket.

Naija News gathered that Ize-Iyamu also threatened legal action against Collins Osaghae, the Special Adviser on Digital Media to Governor Monday Okpebholo, whom he accused of circulating the alleged cloned newspaper with defamatory comments.

Speaking with journalists at his residence in Benin City on Thursday, Ize-Iyamu said those behind the allegation were desperate to damage his reputation.

“These people are desperate, and they want to soil my name and reputation,” he said.

“You imagine the mischief they wanted to do; they even went as far as saying that I want to contest for the 2027 presidential election.”

He said the alleged cloning of the newspaper was intended to embarrass him but had instead exposed those behind it.

“Even the cloning of the Vanguard Newspaper is to embarrass me. They are the ones who are suffering embarrassment now because of their role in all this,” he added.

Ize-Iyamu said he had instructed his lawyers to begin legal proceedings against the person who circulated the alleged publication.

“I have asked my lawyers to institute legal proceedings against the person who shared the cloned newspaper,” he said.

In a letter written by Faithful Stewards Solicitors to Osaghae, the lawyers described as false the allegation that Ize-Iyamu cloned the front page of Vanguard.

The firm demanded proof that their client forged the headline, authorised the publication or participated in circulating it.

The solicitors gave Osaghae 48 hours to prove the allegation or issue a public apology and retraction.

They demanded that the apology be published on seven television stations, seven national newspapers and several online platforms.

They also demanded ₦2bn in damages as reparation.

The law firm described Ize-Iyamu as a legal practitioner, former Chief of Staff, former Secretary to the Edo State Government, politician, ordained minister, businessman and farmer.

Ize-Iyamu contested the Edo South senatorial ticket but is disputing the result announced by the APC primary election committee.

According to the declared result, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama won the primary, while Neda Imasuen came second and Ize-Iyamu finished third.

The APC chieftain insisted that he remained a loyal party member, adding that he directed his supporters to vote for President Bola Tinubu during the presidential primary.