PDP/APM Fires Back at APC, Labels 500-Defector Claim ‘Political Deception’
PDP/APM Fires Back at APC, Labels 500-Defector Claim ‘Political Deception’
A political controversy has erupted in Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State, following claims that more than 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a strongly worded rejoinder released to Our Heritage Reporter online, the PDP/APM Alliance in Ogbagi Ward 6 dismissed the report as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The alliance accused APC stakeholders of exaggerating attendance figures, staging a publicity stunt, and attempting to create a false impression of growing support ahead of future political contests.
The group insisted that the alleged mass defection never occurred and urged members of the public to disregard what it described as a fabricated narrative designed to mislead residents and the wider political community.
Full statement reads:
REJOINDER: A REBUTTAL TO THE MISCHIEVOUS AND FABRICATED CLAIMS OF MASS DEFECTION OF APM/PDP TO APC IN OGBAGI WARD 6
The recent publication claiming that “Over 500 PDP/APM Members Defect to APC in Ogbagi Akoko” is nothing but a mischievous piece of propaganda, typical of its convener, Hon. Bankole Mohammed (popularly known as Banky), Legislative Aide to Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero. This desperate attempt to manufacture political relevance through inflated figures and doctored narratives only exposes the lack of genuine support for the APC in the area.
First, let us deal with basic arithmetic and geography. It is a well-known fact that the total number of APC members in Ogbagi Ward 6 does not even reach 300 individuals. One wonders where this self-styled “Honourable” Bankole Mohammed conjured the figure of 500 defectors from especially when the photographs circulating with the publication clearly do not support such a claim. Even more ridiculous is the assertion that such a large crowd gathered at the Ogbagi Youths Hall. This hall has a maximum capacity of approximately 100 chairs and people. Where then did the APC and their handlers gather the supposed 500 individuals? Was this a dream from which they are yet to wake up?
It is important to remind the APC that they recently concluded their primary elections using their familiar dubious method of counting, jumping magically from 1 to 10, 35, 160, 315, and finally 500. For Hon. Bankole Mohammed, the Personal Assistant to Hon. Ife Ehindero, to adopt this same fraudulent arithmetic and suddenly parade 500 defectors is both laughable and predictable. It reveals a consistent pattern of deceit rather than organic political growth.
The truth is far more modest and telling. Out of those present, only about 20 were actual members of the APC. The remaining approximately 40 individuals were ordinary citizens lured to the venue under the guise of an “empowerment programme,” the usual bait employed when genuine support is lacking. This is not the first time Hon. Bankole Mohammed has used such tactics. He previously lured the executive members of a political party to what they believed was an ordinary meeting, only to hurriedly issue a press release claiming it was an “endorsement” for Hon. Ife Ehindero. Such underhanded methods severely damage the credibility of those involved and raise serious questions about the integrity of the so-called Honourable.
The people of Ogbagi Akoko and indeed Ondo State are politically sophisticated. They can no longer be deceived by photoshopped crowds, exaggerated numbers, or press statements that exist only in the imagination of desperate political jobbers. True defection and consolidation of support are built on performance, sincerity, and genuine connection with the people, not on fabricated headlines and capacity-defying hallucinations.
We urge the public to disregard this mischievous publication and see it for what it is, a desperate attempt by a few individuals to create a false impression of strength where none exists.
SIGNED:
PDP/APM ALLIANCE OGBAGI WARD 6
