A stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of Oke-Ogun Community APC, Prince Ifekayode Akinbode, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State of descending into panic mode ahead of the 2027 governorship election, alleging that the opposition party has resorted to blackmail and divisive propaganda due to fears of imminent electoral defeat.
Akinbode, in a statement issued on Friday, described recent comments credited to the spokesperson of the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation against Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as “reckless, divisive and desperation-driven.”
According to him, the attacks on Senator 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 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.”
Akinbode further claimed that many loyalists and stakeholders within the PDP had allegedly become disillusioned with the leadership of Ladi Adebutu and were quietly aligning with Senator Yayi because of his leadership qualities, performance and grassroots appeal.
According to him, the wave of silent realignments within the opposition camp has heightened fears within the PDP ahead of the next governorship race.
“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.
Akinbode insisted that Ogun people were politically enlightened and more concerned about competence, performance and developmental capacity than what he described as “cheap propaganda sponsored by desperate politicians.”
Highlighting Senator Yayi’s political credentials, Akinbode noted that the lawmaker had distinguished himself through numerous empowerment initiatives, educational interventions, infrastructural support programmes and human capital development projects that have impacted thousands of residents across Ogun State.
The APC leader also declared that 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.
He expressed confidence that Ogun residents could clearly identify leaders with the vision, credibility and political structure required to move the state forward ahead of the next governorship contest.
