The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oke-Ogun community in Abeokuta North Local Government area of Ogun State, Ifekayode Akinbode, has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state has resorted to blackmail and divisive propaganda due to fears of imminent electoral defeat.
According to him, the party is descending into panic mode ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Akinbode, in a statement issued on Friday, opined that recent comments made by the spokesperson of the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation against Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is “reckless, divisive and desperation-driven”.
Recall that spokesperson of LADO, Afolabi Orekoya, on Wednesday insisted that the 2027 governorship election should not be handed over to a stranger, questioning Yayi’s origin.
He described Yayi as someone unfamiliar with the state’s political and social history.
Reacting, Akinbode stated that the attack on Yayi’s identity and ancestry clearly showed that the PDP was already troubled by the growing popularity and widespread acceptance the senator enjoys across Ogun State.
The statement reads, “The PDP is clearly operating in fear and confusion because they can already see the overwhelming acceptance, grassroots connection and political strength Senator Yayi enjoys across Ogun State, especially in Ogun West and beyond.
“Their latest outburst is nothing but a failed attempt at blackmail and distraction ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“Many members of the PDP are already abandoning Adebutu because they can see the quality of leadership, political maturity and developmental vision Senator Yayi represents. The reality is that people naturally identify with leadership that inspires confidence, performance and capacity,” he stated.
The APC chieftain maintained that Senator Adeola remains a bonafide son of Ogun State whose roots and contributions to the state are well known to the people, stressing that no amount of political propaganda could alter established facts.
He accused the PDP of abandoning issue-based politics in favour of personal attacks and ethnic sentiments because of its inability to convince Ogun residents to trust the opposition party again.
“It is unfortunate that instead of presenting meaningful ideas and explaining why the PDP failed to win the confidence of the electorate in previous elections, they have chosen the path of personal attacks and divisive politics,” he stated.
He noted tha the ruling party remained focused on consolidating the developmental strides of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration and would not be distracted by what he called “the noise of a PDP already suffering from fear of defeat in 2027″.
He advised the opposition party to prepare for the polls rather than engaging in media attacks against political opponents.
“Elections are won by the people, not through media propaganda or attempts to question the identity of political opponents,” Akinbode added.
