Explosive! Amosun, Daniel Are Bad Democrats – Seriki

ABEOKUTA – Prince Segun Seriki, an Ogun State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ally of Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi, has described former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun as “bad democrats” over their alleged opposition to the party following the outcome of its senatorial primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Seriki, a former member of the House of Representatives during Nigeria’s Third Republic and former National Publicity Secretary of the National Conscience Party of Nigeria (NCPN), said the two former governors should respect party supremacy and refrain from actions capable of undermining the APC’s electoral prospects.

He expressed disappointment that politicians who had benefited from party decisions in the past would allegedly work against the same party when the outcome did not favour their interests.

According to him, Daniel and Amosun might be unhappy with the results of the senatorial primaries in their respective constituencies, their grievances should not justify any untoward actions against the APC.

“As former governors and top-level party leaders, it’s a most unfortunate development. Both OGD and Amosun seem rightly unhappy with the outcome of the senatorial primaries in their respective constituencies. However, as beneficiaries of party supremacy in the past, it is inappropriate for them to work against their party. Such actions portray them as bad democrats and people who can’t endure that which they’ve done to others in the past as party administrators.

His words: “I really hope that both the OGD and Amosun would review the said position and tow the party line before the elections as such act of party betrayal should, and I believe would have consequences. Pretending to support the president while engaging in anti-party activities is very unbecoming. I also recommend that the APC party leadership should make overtures to them and massage their egos in earnest but not necessarily as a precondition of their being good party men.

“Candidly, both Governors Daniel and Amosun are selectively convenient democrats given their overbearing concepts, the former only happens to have a better organizational dictatorship than the latter. I’m generally taken aback by the inability of most former governors to submit to and/or tolerate the kind of democratic principles they cherished and practiced while in office. On this note, I credit our father and leader, former Gov Osoba who had been able to democratically carry himself with enviable candor in unfavorable climes. In the same way I remember with nostalgia, our leading leader, the consummate democrat, Dr Jubril Martins-Kuye of blessed memory”.

Seriki urged them to reconsider their positions and support the party before the elections.

He warned that alleged anti-party activities could attract consequences, adding that expressing support for President Bola Tinubu while engaging in actions detrimental to the APC would be inappropriate.

Seriki, however, urged the APC leadership to reach out to the former governors, engage them and address their concerns in a bid to strengthen party unity.

He maintained that such reconciliation efforts should not be a condition for responsible party membership, insisting that political leaders must demonstrate discipline and respect for collective decisions.

On the controversy surrounding the eligibility of former governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Seriki dismissed allegations linking the APC and Senator Yayi to the development.

He argued that the controversy stemmed from internal issues within the opposition party and should not be blamed on the APC or its governorship hopeful.

Seriki questioned Adebutu’s political decisions, particularly his movement between rival factions of the PDP following legal setbacks affecting the party’s internal arrangements.

He alleged that Adebutu had aligned with the Turaki-led faction, participated in its governorship primaries and subsequently emerged as the candidate of the Wike-aligned faction after the former faction encountered judicial challenges.

The APC chieftain said the development raised questions about political consistency and leadership conviction, arguing that politicians seeking public offices should demonstrate principles beyond personal ambition.

He described the controversy as an internal PDP problem, maintaining that the party should resolve its disputes without dragging the APC or Yayi into the matter.

Seriki further claimed that the situation could weaken the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election, while expressing confidence that Yayi would emerge victorious.

“How on earth can accusing fingers be pointed to the APC candidate for the INEC regulatory ommission of the PDP candidate arising from the PDP shear indiscretion? Is it the responsibility of the APC or Sen Adeola to ensure that Ladi Adebutu is duly registered as an opposition PDP member?

“Quite frankly, I’m highly disheartened that those seeking to govern our dear Ogun state can’t fulfill elementary party membership registration requirements. It’s furthermore, most unfortunate that those seeking to occupy the exalted office of Ogun state governor from the PDP are unprincipled and senselessly propelled by blind inordinate ambition”, he stated.

On the economic challenges confronting Nigerians, Seriki acknowledged that the country is experiencing difficult times but argued that the roots of the problems predated the Tinubu administration.

He cited fuel subsidy-related controversies, multiple foreign exchange rates, deteriorating public infrastructure and what he described as questionable privatisation policies as factors that had contributed to Nigeria’s economic difficulties.

According to him, many of the political actors now seeking to replace Tinubu were influential during the periods when some of those problems developed.

Seriki expressed confidence that the president would secure re-election in 2027, arguing that Nigerians would support the continuation of his economic reforms and infrastructure development programmes.

He also rejected the proposal by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to restore fuel subsidies, describing it as an inadequately considered response to the country’s economic challenges.

Seriki maintained that the removal of the subsidy had forced Nigerians to confront the financial implications of sustaining the policy, which he argued had placed considerable pressure on public resources.

He described Atiku’s proposal as an attempt to appeal to voters ahead of the election, insisting that Nigerians were increasingly able to scrutinize political promises through access to information and digital platforms.

Reflecting on his political relationship with Atiku, Seriki said he had worked closely with the former vice-president during their days in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under the political leadership of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

He said they were also involved in the formation of the PDP and worked together during the political struggles surrounding former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, including opposition to the proposed third-term agenda.

Seriki recalled that he and Atiku later left the PDP for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in pursuit of a presidential arrangement that reflected their political convictions.

He expressed dismay with what he described as Atiku’s current political approach, particularly any strategy that could deepen divisions between northern and southern Nigeria.

According to him, the former vice-president should prioritize national cohesion and recognize the importance of power rotation in sustaining political balance and unity.

Seriki said he remained confident that attempts to exploit regional divisions for electoral advantage would not succeed, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than a political weapon.

He argued that the opposition party should focus on resolving its internal disagreements rather than seeking public sympathy by blaming its political rivals.

Seriki also suggested that competing interests within the PDP could be seeking an opportunity to replace Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate.

He maintained that the APC’s responsibility was to prepare for the election and ensure that the contest was conducted in accordance with established rules.

Looking beyond the 2027 elections, Seriki expressed optimism that Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects and policy changes would shape the direction of the country’s next administration.

He argued that the next administration could build on the policies of the Tinubu government, describing continuity as an opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms and sustain development.

Seriki said the APC would continue to promote what it considered the positive outcomes of the president’s policies and work towards their realisation.

He reiterated his confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects in Ogun State and at the national level, insisting that party unity, political discipline and the implementation of reforms would remain important factors in the 2027 general elections.