…Challenges opposition to produce evidence, urges issue-based campaigns
The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of a clandestine meeting between its governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and electoral officials, describing the claims as baseless.
The ruling party also challenged the opposition to produce verifiable evidence to substantiate its allegations, urging it to focus on infrastructure, governance and other issues affecting residents of the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The APC made its position known in a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of its Campaign Council in Ogun State, High Chief Kayode Odunaro.
Odunaro described the PDP’s Friday press release alleging a secret meeting between Adeola and electoral officials as an attempt to mislead the public, accusing the opposition of resorting to unsubstantiated claims instead of presenting a clear campaign agenda.
He maintained that Adeola remained focused on his legislative responsibilities and consultations with stakeholders across Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to the APC, the allegations, including claims of an exchange of bags and other suspicious activities, were unfounded and reflected the opposition’s anxiety over the forthcoming electoral contest.
The party argued that Adeola’s record of public service, legislative representation and developmental projects constituted sufficient credentials for his governorship ambition.
“We are not surprised by this latest hallucination from the PDP,” the statement said.
It added that the opposition had allegedly adopted a pattern of raising unsubstantiated allegations whenever it faced electoral challenges.
The APC insisted that its candidate did not need underhand dealings to win the support of Ogun voters, arguing that his performance and engagements with constituents would speak for him during the campaign.
Reaffirming its commitment to free, fair and credible elections, the ruling party challenged the PDP to provide evidence of the alleged meeting or withdraw the claims.
The APC also declared its confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions and security agencies, insisting that its activities were guided by the rule of law and democratic principles.
“Unlike the PDP, which has a historical pedigree of electoral manipulation, the APC believes in the power of the ballot box,” the statement said.
The party further stated that it would welcome investigations by relevant anti-corruption agencies into any credible allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that its campaign would be based on performance rather than inducements.
The APC urged residents of Ogun State to disregard what it described as opposition propaganda intended to create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also called on the PDP to address its internal challenges and engage voters with concrete proposals on infrastructure, economic development and other issues affecting the state.
The ruling party maintained that Ogun voters deserved issue-based campaigns that would allow them to assess the candidates’ policies, competence and capacity to govern.
It concluded by assuring residents that Adeola and the APC remained prepared to participate in the 2027 electoral contest, expressing confidence that the outcome would be determined by voters at the polling units.