Kayode Ojo’s Political Missteps and The Lessons from Ekiti APC’s Stand

By Femi Philips

The recent televised interview of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary, Hon. Segun Dipe, with the broadcaster Adegbite, has once again brought to the fore the enduring realities of political conduct, party discipline, and leadership loyalty in Ekiti politics.

From the discussion, one cannot help but conclude that, indeed, “the past can have lasting effects — actions, decisions, or mistakes made long ago can still bring pain or repercussions today.” Dipe’s interview not only revisited the political journey of Engineer Kayode Ojo but also underscored the importance of restitution and genuine reconciliation in party politics.

According to Dipe, since the 2022 governorship primaries in Ekiti, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji secured an overwhelming victory with over 120,000 votes against Ojo’s fewer than 1,000 votes, the party has made several attempts to mend internal fences. However, Ojo’s subsequent decision to drag the party to court, in disregard of the APC constitution and leadership hierarchy, was described as a fundamental breach of party discipline.

Dipe emphasized that the APC, from the national level down to the wards, viewed Ojo’s legal action as both disrespectful and politically insensitive. He reminded listeners that despite this, the party extended an olive branch to Ojo by supporting his nomination for a federal appointment, believing he would retrace his steps and reconcile with party leadership. Unfortunately, according to Dipe, “up till now, Kayode Ojo has not acknowledged any wrongdoing, nor has he sought to make peace with the party.”

In his characteristic style, Dipe illustrated Ojo’s attitude with a vivid metaphor — likening him to a man who only returns home every four years to demand his inheritance despite having alienated himself from his family. Such a man, he noted, risks being labeled “an inheritance bastard.”

Dipe further narrated a recent incident where Ojo allegedly forced entry into the APC Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, opening drawers and offices without authorization, after being told to reschedule a visit that clashed with other official engagements. The publicity secretary stressed that such conduct shows a lack of respect for party processes and leadership structure.

On the issue of Ojo’s disqualification from the forthcoming primaries, Dipe revealed that the party’s screening committee had raised several concerns, including his past defiance of the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms, not able to meet the party requirements in his submitted form and his previous court case. The committee, he said, only granted him provisional clearance pending the resolution of these issues — which Ojo allegedly failed to address.

He also touched on the argument of party register manipulation which He said it is impossible and sensitive issue of zoning, noting that Ojo hails from Ikoro-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government, which falls within the Ekiti Central Senatorial District — the same community and local government that already produced a serving Federal Minister. “It would be unfair,” Dipe argued, “to concentrate both the ministerial and gubernatorial slots in the same community while other four local governments with more than fifty communities are left out.”

Beyond the political intricacies, the interview offered a broader reflection on loyalty, structure, and restitution within party politics. The APC spokesperson maintained that the party operates a functional and transparent system where discipline, respect for leadership, and adherence to the constitution remain non-negotiable.

From all indications, Kayode Ojo’s political journey within the Ekiti APC now stands at a crossroads. If he truly seeks to remain relevant and enjoy meaningful support within the party, he must, as Dipe suggested, make peace with the leadership, accept responsibility for past missteps, and commit to rebuilding trust.

As the Yoruba would say, “Ìyàn ogún ọdún á má jẹ́ ọ ní lówó” — the pounded yam cooked twenty years ago can still burn your hand. The past always has consequences, but restitution, humility, and reconciliation can still redeem a troubled political future.

Advertisements