Deji Adeyanju apologizes to PDP leaders over ‘defamatory comments’

Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has issued a formal apology to the acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, over alleged defamatory remarks.

In a letter dated December 6, written on behalf of Adeyanju by his law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, and signed by Zainab Otega, the activist retracted his comments. The letter, addressed to the PDP leaders’ counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), stated that the remarks were not intended to defame and apologized for any contrary perception.

The letter read:

“We are solicitors to Deji Adeyanju, Esq (hereinafter referred to as our client), on whose instruction we act.

“Our client received two letters from the law firm of the revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J. J. Usman, alleging that some statements he made on a podcast a few weeks ago were deemed defamatory of Damagun and Anyanwu, the National Chairman and Secretary of the PDP respectively.

“Our client’s statements on the podcast were taken out of the bigger context of the conversation which is the need for the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party to provide a virile opposition to the ruling party.

“These statements were not intended to defame your clients, and any perception of defamation in the said statements is regretted and withdrawn with apologies.

“As a human rights activist, our client remains committed to the betterment of Nigeria and will continue to urge those in leadership to prioritize the interest of Nigerians over and above personal interest.”

The apology followed allegations made by Adeyanju during his appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast. He had accused Damagun and Anyanwu of undermining the PDP’s opposition role by being complicit with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Adeyanju specifically claimed that Damagun “serves tea” and Anyanwu “serves Kilishi” in the home of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He further alleged that both leaders, alongside FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, are acting as moles for Tinubu within the PDP.

“The current PDP is in Wike’s pocket at the national level. He installed the current PDP National Chairman who goes to serve tea in Femi Gbajabiamila’s house,” Adeyanju stated during the podcast.

He continued, “While Damagun is serving tea, PDP’s National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, goes to the kitchen to serve Kilishi. They are the people in charge of the PDP. These are Tinubu’s moles, just like Abure in LP who is an APC mole. There is no opposition; that’s why nobody is challenging the system. Aside from a few of us, who else is talking?”

In response, Damagun and Anyanwu, through their counsel, threatened legal action unless Adeyanju retracted the remarks and issued a public apology across national newspapers and social media platforms.