Kwankwaso Threatens N10bn Defamation Suit Against Primate Ayodele
Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has threatened legal action against Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, demanding a retraction and apology over alleged defamatory comments made against him.
In a legal notice issued through his lawyers and made public by his media aide, Hon. Saifullahi Hassan, Kwankwaso warned that he would seek N10 billion in damages if the cleric failed to withdraw the statements within 24 hours.
The letter, dated June 11, 2026, accused Primate Ayodele of making what it described as “false, malicious and defamatory” remarks during a public sermon that was reportedly livestreamed and widely circulated on social media and news platforms.
According to the legal team, the cleric allegedly described Kwankwaso as “fake to Obi,” claimed he would betray his running mate, and further alleged that he had been paid to accept the vice-presidential slot on the NDC ticket.
Defending the former Kano State governor’s reputation, the lawyers stated that Kwankwaso had built a distinguished record of public service over several decades, serving as governor, minister, senator, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, presidential candidate and now vice-presidential candidate.
“Our client’s attention has been drawn to your viral publication which is trending on all social media platforms and in international and local news outlets, wherein you published malicious and defamatory contents against him geared toward tarnishing his long-earned reputation in Nigeria and beyond,” the letter stated.
The legal team argued that the comments portrayed Kwankwaso as deceitful, insincere and politically unreliable, adding that such allegations could harm both his personal reputation and cohesion within the NDC.
The notice further described the claims as “deliberate, premeditated, false, unprovoked, grossly unfounded and unsubstantiated.”
As part of its demands, Kwankwaso’s lawyers called on Primate Ayodele to publish a full and unequivocal retraction and apology across all platforms where the statements appeared, with the correction given the same prominence as the original publication.
They also requested a written undertaking from the cleric, assuring that he would refrain from making or republishing similar statements in the future.
The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would leave Kwankwaso with no option but to institute legal proceedings seeking N10 billion in damages, legal costs and other reliefs deemed appropriate by the court.
The development adds a new dimension to the growing political tensions and public exchanges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
