REJOINDER: Kogi Deputy Governor Dismisses Claims of his ‘Ambush’ to force some APC members in Ugwolawo district to endorse Hon Amodu Shehu for another term as Baseless Propaganda
The Office of the Kogi State Deputy Governor has dismissed as “fabricated lies” allegations made by a Social Democratic Party (SDP) propagandist, Omera Opaluwa, that Deputy Governor Comrade Joel Salifu “ambushed” APC members to force an endorsement of Hon. Amodu Shehu Seidu.
In a statement, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Unubi Emmanuel, described the claims as “funny lies” and an attempt to drag the Deputy Governor’s image through the mud.
He explained that the meeting held on Monday was a consultative gathering with party leaders and stakeholders, ahead of party congresses and primary elections.
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The statement noted that similar meetings are scheduled with other districts, and that no one was forced or pressured to support any candidate.
It cited Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s directive that party candidate endorsements and political choices are decisions of stakeholders and constituents, not to be imposed by individuals or leaders.
He questioned Opaluwa’s credibility, pointing out that he is not a member of the party and therefore not privy to internal party affairs.
The statement described his claims as a desperate attempt to sow discord within the party and distract from the progress made by the Ododo/Oyibo administration.
The statement emphasized that no decision has been taken on the party’s candidate for the Ofu State Constituency, and that the process is still ongoing.
He urged the public to disregard the “cheap lies and fake propaganda”, assuring that the Deputy Governor remains focused on supporting Governor Ododo’s development agenda for Kogi State.
Details of the statement below:
RE: FALSE AND MISLEADING CLAIMS AGAINST THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE
1. Our attention has been drawn to a statement by one known Social Democratic Party (SDP) propagandist, Omera Opaluwa, alleging that the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, “ambushed” some APC members from Ugwolawo District to force an endorsement of the current Ofu state Assembly member, Hon. Amodu Shehu Seidu to run for another term.
2. Ordinarily, such funny lies would not deserve a response, but for the sake of clarity and to prevent innocent members of the public from being misled we decided to set the record straight. These claims are simply not true. They’re fabricated lies cooked to drag the hard-earned image of the Deputy Governor to the mud.
3. What took place at the instance of the Deputy Governor on Monday, was a consultative meeting with party leaders and stakeholders, especially as party congresses and primary elections draws closer. Meetings like these are common in our APC family because it gives members the opportunity to talk, share views, and agree on the best way forward. Infact, similar meeting is schedule to hold with other districts of the local government on separate dates. No one was forced, threatened, or pressured to support anybody.
4. It is important to note that His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has on different occasions directed that matters relating to party candidate endorsements and political choices are decisions of stakeholders and constituents, not something that can be imposed by any individual or leader. The Deputy Governor will continue to respect the directive of his principal, the autonomy of party members and the democratic process at all levels.
5. It may interest you to ask: how can someone who is not even a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) claim to know what happened inside an internal party meeting? This naturally raises questions about the truth and intention behind his post. This is purely another desperate effort to sow seed of discord in our APC family in Ofu Local Government, and distract people from the visible progress being recorded by the Ododo/Oyibo administration.
6. In as much as it is an internal party affairs, for clarity, no decision has been taken yet on the APC’s candidate for the Ofu State Constituency. The process is still ongoing. At the right time, the party members would choose their preferred candidate without any interference.
7. We urge the good people of Ofu Local Government and Kogi State at large to disregard these cheap lies and fake propaganda.
8. The Deputy Governor remains focused on supporting his boss, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, to deliver good governance and development for the state.
Unubi Emmanuel
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
Kogi State
February 3, 2026
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 3RD 2026)
