The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently denied allegations of bribery and endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate, describing the claims as “malicious and fictitious”.
A statement released by the party’s spokesperson, Olawale Sadare, alleged that the claims were planted by “faceless, unscrupulous and satanic elements” aimed at destabilizing the party.
According to the party, a meeting was held between the State Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abas, and Col. Gbenga Adegbola (rtd), a new entrant into the party, where Adegbola pledged his loyalty and support for the party’s success in the 2027 general election.
The party denied that any bribe was taken or that Adegbola was endorsed as the gubernatorial candidate, stating instead that Adegbola’s pledge was welcomed and some members were invited to accompany him to a meeting with the national chairman.
The Oyo APC has urged party faithful to disregard the allegations and remain supportive of the Abas-led State Exco, which is working towards achieving victory in future elections.
Full sentence:
Re: Bribery Allegations Rock Oyo APC Over Trip To Ganduje
Our attention has just been drawn to a malicious and fictitious story planted in a weird online medium by some faceless, unscrupulous and satanic elements alleging that the Executive Committee members of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo state took a bribe from a new entrant into the Party and endorsed him as the Oyo APC’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 general election while they were also planning to follow him to Abuja tomorrow (Tuesday) for presentation to the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
This rejoinder became necessary in order to safeguard the sanity of a few population of members of the public who might be swayed by the evil antics of the writer, publisher and sponsors of the crude report. For the avoidance of doubt, the story as published in the online medium is entirely false. It is an handiwork of some shameless and disgruntled characters who are bent on sabotaging the spirited efforts being put in place by the Alhaji Olayide Abas-led State Exco to reposition the Party and place it on an auspicious pedestal with a view to facilitating total victory in the future polls especially the 2027 general election which is fast approaching.
For the record, the State Chairman got a phone call from the Party chairman in Saki West on Tuesday last week requesting for a visit to the State Secretariat to present a new entrant and this was granted. So, the APC Saki West LGA chairman (Mr. Tajudeen Okunlola) came to Oke-Ado the following day in company of one Col. Gbenga Adegbola (rtd) who was said to be a prominent Indigene of Saki that just joined politics having retired from the Army about five months ago. Apart from Mr. Okunlola who brought the gentle man, none of the six Exco members at the brief meeting had known Adegbola from Adam but they were gladdened by the pledge of loyalty to the Party and value addition which he made in his two-minute address.
Meanwhile, he (Adegbola) revealed that he had booked an appointment with the national chairman of our great Party next Tuesday and he would not mind to have the State Chairman and two or three other Exco members to be present for his presentation as a new member who has joined the Party from his Ward and Local Government council as stipulated in the Party Constitution. He said emphatically at the meeting that he did not come with any political ambition but he would do everything within his capacity to mobilize for the success of the APC in 2027 as a patriot and an admirer of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To this end, Alh. Abas told him that he would not be able to travel for health reasons but he asked some members present to go with him if he did not mind.
Apparently, the State Executive Committee members who have been working round the clock to attract more people into the fold of Oyo APC believed that granting such request from Adegbola would not only encourage him to deliver on his promise to attract more people but also send a signal to the whole world that despite being in the opposition, Oyo APC remains a beautiful bride. So, we wonder where the issues of bribe and endorsement as gubernatorial candidate came from.
Finally, we urge Party faithful to disregard the malicious rumour and remain resolute in their support for the Abas-led State Exco which is poised to maintain its integrity, dedication and quality service even as we warn agents of dis-stabilization and disunity to stay clear of Oyo APC this time round when all genuine stakeholders are ready to work together for the common goal achieving total victory in all future election starting with the forthcoming by-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
Thank you.
E-signed;
Olawale Sadare
for; Oyo APC.