The BAO Media Centre (BMC) has strongly condemned the recent verbal outburst launched by governorship aspirant, Engineer Kayode Ojo, in which he not only attacked former Governor of Ekiti State and one-time Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, but also went further to call all former governors of the state thieves.
“These are people that had served the state meritoriously; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Engr. Segun Oni, Dr. Kayode Fayemi all in APC, and former Governor Ayo Fayose, who is a strong supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"He even ridiculed House of Assembly members, calling them rubber stamp, while rubbishing party leaders as biased. The question we are asking now is, is this man truly in APC?” the centre queried.
The centre expressed shock at Ojo’s verbal attacks, remarking on how a party aspirant descended heavily on the party's founding father in the state.
“We are still in disbelief that someone who calls himself a leader in this party could launch such verbal missiles at the same elders that nurtured the party to the beautiful bride it is today. Attacking Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the father figure of APC in Ekiti, is a political suicide mission. His statement clearly exposes a man fighting shadows, not a man building bridges.”
The centre described Ojo’s outburst as reckless, unguarded, and a direct insult on the collective political heritage of Ekiti people.
“Otunba Niyi Adebayo is not just a pioneer Governor of this state; he is also a stabilizing force in the APC both at state and national levels. Any attempt to malign his name is an affront to the culture of respect and unity that defines Ekiti politics,” the statement read.
The centre noted that Ekiti APC has thrived on the sacrifices, mentorship and stabilizing influence of respected leaders like Otunba Adebayo, warning that any aspirant seeking relevance through blackmail will meet stiff resistance from genuine party loyalists.
“Casting aspersions on Otunba Adebayo and all the respected former governors is not only politically immature but also alien to the progressive tradition of our party. Rather than tearing down the pillars of unity, aspirants are expected to market their ideas to party members and the electorate,” BMC cautioned.
The centre noted that Ojo’s comment reflects a “deep-seated bitterness” rather than a constructive contribution to party growth.
“You cannot insult the same foundation that holds the house you are living in. Otunba Niyi Adebayo is beyond partisan attacks, he is a stabilizer not just for APC but for Ekiti politics. Ojo’s statement was unnecessary, misdirected, and speaks more of desperation than strategy,” the statement read.
BMC fears that such utterances, if unchecked, may further polarize the APC in the state, especially as the party continues to consolidate ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Reaffirming Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to inclusive leadership, the BAO Media Centre urged all aspirants to maintain decorum in their campaigns, stressing that the APC will not allow selfish ambition to undermine the unity and peace of the party.
