Political tensions escalated between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Tuesday following a sharp response from Chief Oliver Okpala to recent criticisms by NNPP leader Buba Galadima.
Okpala, Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment to former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described Galadima as a “television politician” without grassroots support, calling on him to abandon “media theatrics” and contribute to his state’s progress.
The exchange stems from Galadima’s recent accusations that Ganduje showed disrespect toward former President Muhammadu Buhari, which Galadima alleged resulted in Ganduje’s political setback and failure to secure his preferred successor in Kano State during the 2023 elections.
Okpala firmly rejected these claims, calling them “baseless fabrications.”
“Dr. Ganduje is a nationalist recognized for his political discipline and decorum. These accusations from someone who has never won an election are absurd,” Okpala stated.
He emphasized that Ganduje completed two full gubernatorial terms in Kano State, leaving behind substantial infrastructure and social development achievements, countering any suggestion of political disgrace.
Okpala also dismissed allegations that Ganduje deployed security forces against the NNPP in 2023, describing the former governor as “a democrat with proven excellence.”
Regarding Galadima’s invocation of Buhari’s name, Okpola suggested Galadima was attempting to gain favor with the same leader who “abandoned him years ago.”
Okpala characterized Galadima as someone who interprets political developments negatively and whose failure to evolve into a respected elder statesman represents a significant problem in Nigerian politics.
“Galadima has consistently promoted misleading political narratives and refuses to mature. While blackmail may be his strategy, Kano’s people recognize Ganduje as a political luminary,” Okpala said.
“Our elder statesmen must embrace integrity to leave a better political environment for future generations,” he concluded.
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