A socio-political group, the Estako Solidarity Forum (ESF) has warned politicians in Edo State to stop maligning the name of respected business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbo over the forthcoming governorship election.

The warning by the ESF came following several posting of malicious and untrue statements online linking Captain Hosa as being the brain behind emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as consensus aspirant of a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The ESF urged politicians to leave Captain Hosa out of their political misfortune.

It said the politicians sponsoring the falsehood online publications would soon be exposed, shamed and sued appropriately.

National Coordinator of ESF, Comrade Seidu Momoh, said Captain Hosa is one of the prominent sons of Edo State that quit partisan politics in 2015 to focus on his global business.

Comrade Momoh noted that Captain Hosa philanthropic activities extended to all parts of Edo state and beyond.

Momoh said politicians sponsoring the malicious statements should hide their head in shame.

Also, the Bini Progressive Forum, BPF, Jude Idemudia, condemned the dragging of Captain Hosa name into the political crisis in the state.

"We want to warn the perpetrators and their sponsors to desist from this madness. Politics should be played in an atmosphere of peace, togetherness, fairness and unity instead of subjecting it to ridiculous unsubstantiated and false claim against our illustrious son that has continue to give his all to the advancement of Edo indigenes and Nigeria. He deserves our respect.