4 days ago
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By Ayorinde Oluokun
A lawyer and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), E. O. Eiwone, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over alleged defamatory and inflammatory remarks attributed to Rotimi Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and ex-minister of transportation, concerning supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a petition dated October 10, 2026, Eiwone accused Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, of describing Edo State residents who intend to vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election as “thieves” and “mad people.”
The petition, titled “Petition for Inciting Violence, Defamation and Conduct Likely to Cause the Breach of Peace and Cultism Against Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi,” was addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City, Edo State.
Eiwone, through his solicitors, Eiwo-Oriaifo Law Firm, called on the police to investigate the alleged remarks, which he said could heighten political tensions and threaten public peace in the state.
According to the petition, Amaechi made the comments on October 8, 2026, during an ADC town hall meeting in Benin City. The lawyers said the event was covered by social media platforms and both print and electronic media.
The petition attributed several statements to the former governor, including: “Only thieves can vote for Tinubu” and “Because it is only a mad man that can vote for Tinubu.”
He was also quoted as saying: “If Edo people vote for Tinubu, it means that Edo people are mad,” and “If you are not mad then Tinubu should not win here.”
Eiwone argued that the alleged comments were an attack on his character and dignity as a supporter of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Describing himself as a card-carrying APC member, he said his decision to support the President was a legitimate political choice that should not expose him or other citizens to insults or accusations of criminality.
The petition stated that Eiwone had never been convicted of stealing, fraud, deceit or any other offence involving dishonesty.
“It is our client’s brief that he is not a thief and has never been convicted by any court in Nigeria or abroad for the offence of stealing, fraud, deceit, conversion or any other offence bothering on stealing, dishonesty or fraud,” the lawyers stated.
The petitioner also rejected any suggestion that he was mentally unwell, arguing that the alleged remarks portrayed him as a thief and a person with mental illness solely because of his intention to vote for Tinubu.
Eiwone further warned that the alleged comments could fuel hostility between supporters of rival political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
He maintained that the statements were capable of inciting violence and disrupting law and order in Edo State if left unaddressed.
“It is also the brief from our client that the above comments in relation to our client and Edo State supporters of President Ahmed Tinubu amount to comments which can incite violence in Edo State,” the petition stated.
The petitioner cited Sections 96(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Electoral Act 2026 as provisions he believes may have been contravened by Amaechi.
He urged the police to assign officers to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
While appealing for police intervention, Eiwone said he had opted to seek lawful redress rather than take matters into his own hands.
“We hereby appeal to you to use the instrumentality of your good office to intervene in this matter as our client is a peace-loving legal practitioner who would not want to take the law into his own hands,” the lawyers said.
Copies of the petition were reportedly sent to President Tinubu, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the APC national chairman, the Edo State APC chairman and the party’s Edo Central senatorial leader.
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