Politics
Cover your faces in shame, Kogi PDP blasts APC leaders over colourless campaign finale
•Says Yahaya Bello had no achievement to point at in 4 years
The grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign in Kogi State held on Thursday has been described as colourless, shameful and a celebration of mediocrity and bad governance.
The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this on Thursday, noting that APC leaders including Governor Nasir el-Rufai; Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, APC national chairman; wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari and others should cover their faces in shame that they could be campaigning for Governor Yahaya Bello, who had no single achievement to point at in four years.
The party called on Kogi State electorate to issue a red card to Bello and vote for a new dawn, which Mr. Musa Wada, its standard-bearer in the election represents, noting that it was funny that APC leaders could still be pointing accusing fingers at PDP four years after Yahaya Bello had been in the saddle with nothing to show for the huge resources accrued to the state.
The PDP described as shameful and saddening the action of the Kaduna State governor, El-Rufai, who knelt down to beg for forgiveness for Bello, warning the Kogi State electorate not to be deceived by the ‘crocodile tears’ being shed by those pleading for forgiveness for Bello.
According to the PDP, in a statement signed by the Director, Media & Publicity, Engr. Musa Wada/Sam Aro Campaign Organisation, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the fact that Bello could not point to any tangible achievement in four years but could only babble about Kogi being one, was enough evidence for the people of the state to sack him on Saturday.
The party added that Bello, an unrepentant bad administrator also lied to the entire world during the campaign that he owed no salaries even when the wife of the president and the national chairman were truthful enough to accept the reality that their candidate has failed workers and the citizenry in the state.
Similarly, the PDP said that it was vindicated in its call to OPC leader, Gani Adams and Yoruba traditional rulers to warn Fayemi to take his OPC thugs out of Kogi, noting that the APC campaign revealed the true state of things when Fayemi said he had come to pay Bello back for what he did during his (Fayemi’s) election.
“Today, the entire country watched the show of shame staged by the APC in Kogi State where the party owned up to its failure and irresponsibility in the state. The party’s leaders including Nasir el-Rufai; Hajia Aisha Buhari and Adams Oshiomhole all accepted that Bello should not and cannot be trusted to lead Kogi State ever again, because he is a let-down.
“Yahaya Bello has failed. He had no single achievement to point at in four years. And the APC campaign sold him out for who he is, a failure and a liar. This is enough evidence for our people to vote him out on Saturday.
“We urge our people not to be deceived by the actions of the APC leaders in begging for Bello; they cannot be trusted. The Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo knew this much and that was why he boycotted the campaign. No well-meaning leader will campaign for a governance disaster, which Yahaya Bello embodies,” the PDP concluded
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
-
News7 days agoEid: Oseni Calls for Vigilance, Lauds Security Operatives
-
News1 week agoEid-El-Kabir: JTF warns of Boko Haram, ISWAP attacks
-
Politics4 days agoAlli, Folarin, Adedeji, Oseni, Dare Named to APC Ekiti Re-election Campaign Team
-
News7 days agoOyo Abduction: SWEGOP Demands Swift Rescue of Pupils, Teachers