The camp of Deputy Senate Leader, Lola Ashiru, has dismissed claims that he lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Offa Local Government Area, insisting that the people of Offa overwhelmingly supported the lawmaker during the exercise.
In a statement issued in Ilorin by his Legislative Aide, Olaitan Adeyanju, the Ashiru camp accused some political actors within the party of deliberately distorting the outcome of the primary election in a bid to mislead party members and the public.
According to the statement, the massive turnout and support witnessed during the exercise in Offa reflected the strong political relationship Senator Ashiru has maintained with grassroots supporters over the years.
“We have watched with concern the deliberate attempts by some desperate political actors to twist the narrative surrounding the APC primary election in Offa Local Government,” the statement said.
“It is both surprising and disappointing that individuals who are fully aware of the true mood and outcome of the exercise are now engaging in premature celebrations and coordinated propaganda in a bid to mislead the public and create confusion within the party.”
The statement maintained that contrary to reports making the rounds, Senator Ashiru did not lose in Offa, stressing that the exercise turned into “a massive rally of confidence” in his leadership and accessibility.
“First and foremost, Senator Lola Ashiru did not lose Offa Local Government. The overwhelming show of solidarity, support, and political presence witnessed across Offa during the primary process clearly demonstrated where the loyalty of party members and grassroots supporters truly lies,” it added.
The Ashiru camp further argued that no officially coordinated and universally accepted final result had been announced across all levels of the exercise, alleging that some aspirants were already declaring themselves winners to shape public perception.
The statement also took a swipe at former Federal Character Commission Chairman, Farida Dankaka, accusing her of engaging in “premature victory projections and divisive political theatrics” instead of allowing party mechanisms to conclude the process.
“It is unfortunate that Hajia Farida Dankaka, rather than allowing due process and party mechanisms to run their course, has continued to engage in premature victory projections and divisive political theatrics,” the statement said.
The aide insisted that Senator Ashiru’s political relevance in Kwara South was built on years of loyalty to party structures, accessibility and grassroots development, adding that “no amount of propaganda, media manipulation, or political conspiracy” could erase the goodwill he enjoys among party members.
The statement also questioned Dankaka’s record during her tenure at the Federal Character Commission, alleging that her leadership attracted controversies and scrutiny from lawmakers.
It stressed that Kwara South needs leadership capable of uniting stakeholders and strengthening party cohesion, rather than politics driven by bitterness and personal ambition.
“We therefore urge APC members and the general public to remain calm and not be distracted by coordinated attempts to manufacture false narratives around the primary process. The truth cannot be buried, and the voice of the grassroots cannot be permanently silenced,” the statement added.
The Ashiru camp reaffirmed the senator’s commitment to the peace, unity and progress of the APC as well as the continued development of Kwara South.
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