The rift between the All Progressives Congress APC and theNew Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP widened on Tuesday as Chief Oliver Okpala, asenior aide to former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,launched a scathing verbal assault on NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima. In a strongly worded statement, Okpala dismissed Galadima asa “television politician” who lacks a local political constituency, urging himto cease his “media antics” and focus on the development of his home state. The friction follows recent allegations by Galadima thatGanduje had disrespected and insulted former President Muhammadu Buhari. Galadima further claimed that this perceived disrespect ledto Ganduje’s “disgrace” and his inability to install a successor in Kano Stateduring the 2023 elections. Okpala, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenmentto the former APC chairman, categorically denied these claims, describing themas a “mischievous fabrication.” “Dr. Ganduje is a nationalist known for his high level ofpolitical decorum and discipline. It is laughable that such accusations arecoming from someone who has never contested or won an election in his life”, hestated. Okpala insisted that Ganduje was never disgraced, notingthat he successfully served two full terms as Governor of Kano State, leavingbehind a “sprawling legacy” of infrastructure and social development. The statement rejected claims that Ganduje mobilizedsecurity forces to stop the NNPP in 2023, describing the former governor as a“democrat with towering records of excellence.” On the Buhari relationship, Okpala argued that Galadima ismerely trying to “curry favour” by using Buhari’s name, the same leader who,according to Okpala, “dumped Galadima like trash” years ago. Chief Okpala did not mince words regarding Galadima’sreputation, labeling him a “sadistic personality” who views national issuesthrough a negative lens. He suggested that Galadima’s inability to transition into arespected elder statesman is a “major bane” of Nigerian politics. “Buba Galadima has always been a harbinger of wrongpolitical narratives. He has refused to mature. His trade is in blackmail, buthe should be reminded that the people of Kano cherish Ganduje as a politicalleading light. “It is time for our elder statesmen to embrace the path ofpolitical rectitude so they can bequeath a clean political space to the youngergeneration,” Okpala said.
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