Ogun 2027: APC Leader Accuses PDP of Blackmail and Propaganda Amid Fear of Defeat

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Oke‑Ogun community of Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Ogun State, Ifekayode Akinbode, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in blackmail and divisive propaganda as it fears an upcoming electoral defeat.

According to Akinbode, the PDP is slipping into panic ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement released on Friday, he described remarks made by the spokesperson of the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation (LADO) against Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola—known as Yayi—as “reckless, divisive and desperation‑driven.”

Afolabi Orekoya, the LADO spokesperson, had on Wednesday insisted that the 2027 governorship election should not be handed to a stranger, questioning Yayi’s origins and describing him as “unfamiliar with the state’s political and social history.”

Responding to this, Akinbode said that the attack on Yayi’s identity and ancestry revealed the PDP’s growing unease over the senator’s popularity and widespread acceptance across Ogun State.

The statement reads: “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.”

“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 added.

The APC chieftain maintained that Senator Adeola remains a bona fide son of Ogun State, whose roots and contributions are well known to the people, and that no amount of political propaganda could alter established facts.

He accused the PDP of abandoning issue‑based politics in favor of personal attacks and ethnic sentiments, citing the party’s inability to regain the trust of Ogun residents.

“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 said.

Akinbode noted that the ruling party remains focused on consolidating the developmental strides of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration and will not be distracted by what he called “the noise of a PDP already suffering from fear of defeat in 2027.”

He urged the opposition to prepare for the polls rather than engage 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.