By: Titus Oise, Benin.

The Edo state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has threatened legal action against an online platform, Standard Daily Press, over an alleged defamatory publication accusing the union of collecting ₦100 million from the Edo state government ahead of the Edo South Senatorial primaries.
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‎In a terse statement issued Wednesday in Benin and signed by the state chairman of the union, Comrade Festus Alenkhe and secretary, Andy Egbon, the council described the publication as “false, malicious and criminally defamatory,”
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‎The statement insisted that the union never requested, discussed or received any money from the State government in connection with the primary election.
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‎The NUJ maintained that the individual behind the publication is neither a registered member of the union nor a recognised practicing journalist, describing the platform as a blackmail outfit allegedly being used for political manipulation, extortion and character assassination.
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‎“The allegation is entirely false, baseless and criminally defamatory. At no time did Edo NUJ request, discuss or receive ₦100 million or any amount whatsoever from the Edo State Government in relation to the Edo South Senatorial primaries,” the statement said.
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‎The NUJ has demanded an immediate retraction of the publication and a public apology to be published with the same prominence as the original report across all platforms associated with Standard Daily Press within 48 hours, alongside disclosure of the identity of the writer and alleged sponsors of the report.
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‎The statement warned that failure to comply would lead to civil and criminal proceedings, adding that the union would petition the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Press Council to investigate and prosecute those involved.