With the Kogi State governorship election slated for November 11, Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Murtala Ajaka has vehemently denied engaging in any discussions with his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Ahmed Ododo, contrary to recent media claims.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Communications of the Murtala Ajaka Governorship Campaign Council, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, Ajaka dismissed the alleged meeting as a fabricated piece of misinformation orchestrated by Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration to bolster the APC’s grip on power.
The statement emphasized, “In a brazen display of desperation, the Yahaya Bello-led government has resorted to circulating false reports about secret talks between their candidate and SDP’s Murtala Ajaka.”
A rogue blog, known for its dubious affiliations with the Kogi State Government, circulated a story implying clandestine meetings between APC’s Ododo and Mr. Ajaka. This misinformation campaign follows Governor Bello’s previous attempt to stage a faux defection of fake SDP executives weeks ago, underscoring the desperation within their camp.
“Recall that on August 11, street thugs were corralled and dressed up in free caftans and caps, paraded as SDP’s Zonal and Local Government Executives decamping to the Government House. Exposed and ridiculed, Bello’s camp has now resorted to concocting fake news through anonymous blogs, hoping that their misinformation could deceive the public,” the statement added.
Adejoh-Audu stressed that since his departure from the APC a few months ago, Ajaka has had no interactions with APC stalwarts, including Gov. Bello and Ododo.
“To clarify, the SDP candidate, Ajaka, who officially left the APC in May, has never met with Bello or his cousin Ododo since his defection. There’s absolutely no incentive for him to engage with individuals known for violence, bloodshed, and blatant corruption.”
Ajaka’s campaign team remains steadfast in its pursuit of a resounding victory and refuses to be sidetracked by fake news propagated by a floundering regime. Adejoh-Audu challenged Bello to face the inevitable defeat that looms ahead and cautioned that “his history of violence, manipulation of electoral and security agencies, and newfound penchant for spreading fabricated news will not salvage his cause this time.”
As the election approaches, the spotlight remains on the integrity of the electoral process and the voices of the Kogi State electorate.