Crisis in the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) has worsen as the party chapter in Kwara State has countered claims made by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that he funded the 2019 elections in the state are false.
The secretary of the party, Alhaji Mustapha Ishowo, stated this at a news conference in Ilorin.
Ishowo, who was also a principal officer of the party in 2019, condemned what he called the minister’s dictatorial and divisive tendencies, saying it was uncharitable for Mohammed to claim that he funded the election campaign of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak.
He described Mohammed as a “tyrant” who does not tolerate any opposing views, saying the governor’s crime since the campaign period was to insist on mutual respect, equity, and transparent use of campaign funds.
He said, “As a party elder, one would have been quiet because it is always important to give room for peace and reconciliation, no matter the situation. However, silence in the face of tyranny and naked falsehood may be interpreted as agreement or consent. Having read the interview of Alhaji Lai, the impression is that he has not changed one bit from his old self. Alhaji Lai Mohammed is egocentric and always economical with the truth. He is always given to self-promotion and clout chasing.”
According to the party chieftain, the claims in the interview by the minister were self-serving and not representative of the truth.
“Alhaji Lai had for long taken advantage of the governor’s coolheaded nature. Maybe it is time to really open the can of worms for the world to better know Alhaji Lai for who he is. Alhaji Lai is divisive, territorial, dictatorial, and is never a team player. His claim of funding elections is bogus and typical of his lies. He was nowhere to be found during our campaigns which he not only boycotted but directed all his hirelings to also boycott,” he added.
“The then governorship candidate ran and led his own campaign across the state, day and night. This was heavily bankrolled by the candidate himself. He also donated hugely to the campaigns of other candidates, even when he had his own election to run. This is the fact, and any claim to the contrary by Alhaji Lai and his followers is synonymous with his widely acclaimed epithet: lie.”
Ishowo also narrated that the minister was always promoting factions with his notorious Lai Mohammed Campaign Organisation (LAMCO).
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed is an extremely divisive figure who hides under his position to discriminate against and oppress other party elders and members alike. He does not tolerate dissent under any guise. He is notorious for promoting tendencies, especially placing people from his Lai Mohammed Campaign Organisation, aka LAMCO, above every other person. Whether in Kwara South, North or Central, this has been his problem with other party elders and chieftains alike.
“His habit of promoting tendencies and wanting to dominate others is at the root of why he sought to remote-control the then governorship candidate Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. When the candidate sensed this danger and sought to work on the basis of equity, mutual respect and understanding, Alhaji Lai directed the former party chairman, BOB and other party executives, to boycott the campaign of the governorship candidate.
“So, except on three occasions or thereabouts after the presidential election had been won, you cannot see either Alhaji Lai Mohammed or BOB or anyone who aligned with him joining the campaign of the governorship candidate. A few of us who chose to join the candidate to campaign were blacklisted. These people are still alive. The governorship candidate led his own campaign to every corner of the state, many times sleeping in far-flung communities. Videos and other records are available.
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s claim that he funded the APC election campaign in 2019 is a fallacy. Anyone who knows Alhaji Lai Mohammed knows he cannot part with his kobo. The claim that he bankrolled the governor’s campaign is an empty boast that every serious party member and elder knows to be false. If anything, he was simply cornering party funds for personal promotion and use.
“The motorcycles he was talking about were donations to the party which he was forced to share after a tug of war and subtle threats of reporting him to the party’s national secretariat and the donors. Indeed, rather than warehouse such donated items at the party secretariats, they were kept at his LAMCO office. This shows his nature as a sectional and maximum ruler.
“I urge people to be wary of Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Not only does he lie so effortlessly, he is a tyrant who does not care if heaven falls for as long as his agenda is served. Our disagreement with him started when we asked him to account for the humongous donations made to the party for the campaign. They refused to be accountable. They outlawed anyone who asked them questions. Is that the person boasting to the whole world?”
