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A supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Edo State has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force against former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, over alleged defamatory and inciting remarks directed at supporters of the President.
The petitioner, E. O. Eiwone, a legal practitioner and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused Amaechi of describing Edo residents who intend to vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election as “thieves” and “mad people.”
In a petition dated October 10, 2026, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City, Eiwone—through his law firm, Eiwo-Oriaifo Law Firm—called for a full investigation into the former minister’s statements.
Titled: “Petition for Inciting Violence, Defamation and Conduct Likely to Cause the Breach of Peace and Cultism Against Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi,” the document warns that the remarks could provoke political tensions and threaten public peace in Edo State.
The petition alleges that Amaechi contravened Sections 96(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the solicitors, Amaechi made the controversial comments on October 8, 2026, during an ADC town hall meeting at Baptist School on TV Road, Benin City. The meeting was broadcast across multiple social media platforms and mainstream media outlets, including Arise Television.
During the event, Amaechi reportedly told the audience: “Only thieves can vote for Tinubu,” and “Because it is only a mad man that can vote for Tinubu.”
He was further 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.”
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Eiwone argued that the remarks constitute a direct attack on his character and dignity. The petitioner affirmed that as a card-carrying member of the APC, his decision to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid is a constitutionally protected political choice that should not subject him or others to public insults or accusations of criminality.
“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 petition stated.
Rejecting the insinuation that Tinubu supporters are mentally unstable, the legal team described the statements as derogatory, defamatory, and capable of inciting violence among rival party supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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 solicitors stated.
Explaining that his client chose to seek lawful redress rather than resort to self-help, the legal team appealed to police authorities to act swiftly.
“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 laws into his own hands,” the lawyers wrote, urging the AIG to detail investigators to look into the matter.
Copies of the petition were also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the APC National Chairman, the Edo State APC Chairman, and the party’s Edo Central Senatorial leader.
