Final answer:
The correct answer is c. alleged - derided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is c. alleged - derided. When someone alleges something, it means they are making a claim or stating something without providing evidence. In this case, the President is claiming that she had to step down from her position. When something is derided, it means it is mocked, ridiculed, or criticized. So, the President is dismissing the claims that her office was guilty of corruption. Taking issue with Media reports, the President affirmed that she had to step down and dismissed claims that her office was guilty of corruption. The correct answer is option b. affirmed—dismissed.