…Threatens Legal Action Over Defamation
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, Professor Zacharys Anger Gundu, demanding a retraction of allegations made against him on national television.
The ultimatum, contained in a letter dated July 22, 2025, was served by renowned legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Ahmed Raji, acting on behalf of Governor Sule. The letter warns that failure to retract the statement and issue a public apology will result in legal action, including a claim for exemplary damages.
Professor Gundu had, during a recent appearance on News Central Television’s Town Hall programme, accused Governor Sule of shielding violent Fulani groups responsible for attacks in Benue State. In the broadcast, the VC stated:
“The issue of Nasarawa State has come up and we know that even during Al-Makura’s time, Fulanis were coming there and attacking Benue State, and Al-Makura would call them international hunters… And even today, the governor of Nasarawa State, Sule, is also masking the problem.”
“It is people like Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, who is giving them haven, who is giving them refuge, who is getting the lands of his own citizens and giving it to these people.”
Describing the claims as false, damaging, and without proof, Governor Sule, through his counsel, insisted that the remarks have caused “serious injury” to his reputation in the eyes of “right-thinking members of society.”
The letter reads in part:
“Given the far-reaching ramifications of your publication, our client will not sit back and watch his hard-earned reputation and goodwill destroyed by your malicious decision to not only lay false allegations against him but also to cause the same to be published for the world’s attention.”
“Surely, the damage occasioned to our client by your deliberate but ill-advised action is unquantifiable.”
The governor has demanded that Professor Gundu issue a full retraction and tender an unreserved public apology in at least five national dailies within seven days of receiving the letter.
Failure to comply, the letter warns, will result in a lawsuit where “exemplary damages” will be sought.
As of press time, Professor Gundu has not issued a public response to the ultimatum.
