Kwankwaso plans N10bn lawsuit against Pastor Ayodele

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), is threatening to sue a pastor, Babatunde Ayodele, for N10 billion. This notice came through a letter from his lawyer, Magaji Mato, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The letter was shared on Facebook by Kwankwaso's media aide, Saifullahi Hassan.

Kwankwaso accused Pastor Ayodele of making false and nasty comments about him. These remarks were made when the pastor spoke to his congregation in Lagos State.

In the letter dated June 11, Kwankwaso demanded that Ayodele retract his statements and apologize right away.

The letter claims that Ayodele called Kwankwaso a fake supporter of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and predicted that Kwankwaso would betray him.

Ayodele also alleged that Kwankwaso was paid to be Obi’s running mate. Mato argued that these statements hurt Kwankwaso’s reputation. Kwankwaso is a well-known public figure. He has been governor of Kano State for two terms and has also served as minister of defence.

Mato noted that Kwankwaso is a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, a former senator, and a past presidential candidate. He is currently the vice-presidential candidate for the NDC.

"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 content against him, geared toward tarnishing his long-earned reputation in Nigeria and beyond."

The letter continues, "In the said publication, while addressing a physical congregation and being video recorded deliberately to your knowledge and televised on a live stream to an unquantifiable audience, you expressly and without cause stated, amongst other things, as follows;

“KWANKWASO IS A FAKE TO OBI, KWANKWASO WILL BETRAY YOU. KWANKWASO HAS BEEN PAID TO BE VICE PRESIDENT TO OBI AMONG OTHER LIBELOUS COMMENTS, WHILE PRETENDING TO BE A PREACHER.”

These comments are said to directly attack Kwankwaso’s credibility and integrity as the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate and running mate to Peter Obi.

Mato described Ayodele’s claims as deliberate and false. He pointed out that these statements wrongly portray Kwankwaso as deceitful and insincere.

Mato added, "The intended messages in your publication are carefully designed and curated to gravely damage the sparkling reputation which our Client has painstakingly built over the years and to create a rift within the ranks of the members of NDC and their teeming supporters alike."

Because of this, the letter demands the following:

"1. 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 against our Client, on all social media platforms and reputable local and international news outlets, while ensuring that the retraction and apology are given the same visibility and prominence as your defamatory publication.

1. You provide a written undertaking that, henceforth, you will desist from publishing or republishing any defamatory or malicious content against our Client through any medium and on any platform whatsoever."

The letter warns, "Take Notice that if you neglect, fail or refuse to accede to our reasonable demands within the stipulated time frame, we have our Client’s unflinching instruction to take out appropriate legal proceedings against you without further recourse to you, wherein we shall claim substantial damages to the tune of Ten Billion Naira and cost of the action on a full indemnity basis, amongst other reliefs."

It ends with a warning: "A stitch in time saves nine! You have been warned."

As of now, Pastor Ayodele has not replied to the letter.