The Ajaokuta APC Youth Forum wishes to express deep concern over the campaign poster currently circulating widely across social media platforms, where the campaign material of Hon. Lawal is seen carrying the logo and identity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
We are surprised that Hon. Lawal, as a political figure, would allow his campaign poster to carry the PDP insignia without first properly declaring his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC). While this development may come as a surprise to some, we are aware that the desperation is not only from Hon. Lawal himself but also from some of his followers.
Recall that Hon. Lawal’s political journey began in 2015 under the PDP. After failing to secure the party’s ticket at the time, he defected to the APC, where he contested and won under the APC umbrella. It was widely alleged that his earlier anti-party activities contributed to the circumstances that led to his victory, with claims that the then Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, supported him from behind the scenes, enabling him to win under the APC platform.
In the 2019 elections, His Excellency Yahaya Bello gave Hon. Lawal the opportunity of a return ticket against all odds. However, by the 2023 elections, when the former governor supported another candidate, Hon. Lawal chose to abandon the APC, the same party that had provided him the platform to win two terms in the House of Representatives.
It is also on record that in the 2023 elections, Hon. Lawal contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), where he secured barely over three thousand votes. Notably, a similar number of votes were recorded for the PDP senatorial candidate against the APC candidate supported by Governor Yahaya Bello, and he also won his ward for PDP in that election.
Furthermore, there are ongoing rumours that Hon. Lawal is still holding political discussions with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband. The campaign poster currently circulating in the media space appears to strengthen these suspicions of a possible political collaboration.
In light of these developments, we call on His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to investigate the political activities of Hon. Lawal. The APC must be cautious not to empower individuals whose political history suggests a pattern of abandoning the party whenever personal interests are not met.
Hon. Lawal’s actions demonstrate a troubling level of ingratitude, particularly considering the support he previously received from former Governor Yahaya Bello. Now that Yahaya Bello is contesting for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat, it would be expected that Hon. Lawal remains loyal to the APC and supports him as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for the political opportunities he was given.
Instead, allegations continue to emerge, suggesting that he is engaging in political meetings with Senator Natasha for possible collaboration.
The Ajaokuta APC Youth Forum believes the party must remain vigilant to protect its integrity and unity.
Signed:
Abdulmalik Muhammed
For: Ajaokuta APC Youth Forum
