AIB Threatens Legal Action Against Naija24hrs Over Alleged Defamatory Publication, Demands Retraction Within 24 Hours
AIB Threatens Legal Action Against Naija24hrs Over Alleged Defamatory Publication, Demands Retraction Within 24 Hours
Hon. Abeeb Idowu Balogun, popularly known as AIB, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Ibadan South-West Constituency II in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has threatened legal action against online news platform Naija24hrs over a publication he described as false, misleading and defamatory.
Balogun made the demand in a letter dated November 6, 2026, addressed to the Editor/Publisher of Naija24hrs, Mr Alabede Peters, following a report titled “Court Vindicates Real ADC: Ila Born, Habeeb Balogun Won’t Be on Ballot for Ibadan South-West Constituency 2.”
In the letter, the ADC candidate faulted the publication, accusing the platform of making claims about his candidacy without providing a court judgment, an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) document or any verifiable evidence to substantiate the report.
Balogun maintained that no court had removed him as the ADC candidate for the constituency, adding that the Oyo State chapter of the party reaffirmed his candidacy on October 10, 2026.
He further insisted that INEC had not removed his name from the list of candidates, describing the publication as an attempt to mislead the public, damage his reputation and discourage his supporters.
Consequently, he demanded that Naija24hrs remove the publication from its website and social media platforms, issue a full retraction and public apology with the same prominence as the original report, and desist from publishing further claims he considers false against him.
The ADC candidate gave the media platform 24 hours from receipt of the letter to comply with his demands.
He warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave him with no option but to institute legal proceedings against the platform on Monday, November 9, 2026, seeking redress for alleged defamation, malicious falsehood and damages.
Balogun concluded by urging the publisher to act wisely to avoid the threatened legal consequences.