Stakeholders and loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yagba Federal Constituency, Kogi State, under the aegis of Yagba Progressive Element (YPE), have alleged that the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, and the Member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency, Elder Leke Abejide, are dropping Governor Ahmed Ododo’s name to create division within the party to push for a “self-serving third term agenda.”

Chairman of the group and chieftain of the APC, Hon. James Adebayo, yesterday told our reporter on the phone that they will not renege on their position until the governor calls Abejide and others to order, adding that the chat with newsmen became necessary ahead of a rally to be sponsored by Abejide, billed for June 28 in Mopamuro, amid growing criticism over his ambition to return to the Green Chamber for a third time.

Adebayo said that the move violates the longstanding rotational arrangement among the three local governments of Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro, which has for long fostered equity and inclusiveness in political representation.

He alleged that Fanwo said: “The governor is fully aware of the June 28 rally and has mandated me to lead it in Mopamuro.”

He said, “While Yagba West held the seat for 12 years, Yagba East is currently in its third term, expected to end in 2027, which has led to increasing demands for Mopamuro to take its turn in the next election cycle.”

The group alleged that Fanwo’s poise has sparked deeper outrage, especially as he is seen as backing the dropping of the governor’s name as his sponsor.

“It is unfortunate that instead of uniting the party, Fanwo is deepening division by arrogantly claiming to speak for the governor in support of an unpopular third term bid,” he echoed.

Consequently, the group warned that dragging the governor’s name into the matter is not only disrespectful, but also threatens the fragile unity within the APC in the constituency.

YPE urged the governor to distance himself from the controversy and caution his appointees, especially Fanwo, to refrain from actions that could destabilise the party and betray its core principles of fairness and justice.

The group, however, expressed concern that “allowing Abejide, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to drive such a politically sensitive initiative under the banner of the APC amounts to anti-party activity.”

They warned that promoting a rival party lawmaker’s agenda under the guise of APC solidarity could demoralise loyal members and weaken the ruling party’s structure in Kogi State.

According to the chairman: “Fanwo’s declaration that he was mandated by the governor to lead a rally spearheaded by an opposition lawmaker raises questions about the true position of the Ododo-led administration on party discipline.
“If not openly repudiated, such a move may be interpreted as official endorsement of anti-party behaviour from the highest levels of government.

“Abejide’s alleged third term ambition is a dangerous affront to the rotational understanding and could spell doom for party cohesion if not urgently addressed,” the group insisted.