By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, FCT — Chief Oliver Okpala, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment to a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticised a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Buba Galadima, over what he described as persistent “media-based politics” and unfounded allegations against Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
In a press statement issued in Abuja, Okpala urged Galadima to return to his home state and make tangible contributions to its political and economic development, rather than relying on television appearances as his primary political platform.
According to Okpala, many of Galadima’s contemporaries have served the nation in various capacities and are today regarded as elder statesmen, while Galadima, he claimed, has chosen a path of “television politics” without a verifiable political base.
The statement was issued in response to recent comments attributed to Galadima, in which he accused the immediate past APC National Chairman and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, of allegedly insulting former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Okpala described the allegation as false and misleading, stressing that Ganduje is widely known for political discipline, decorum, and maturity.
“I saw the comments credited to Alhaji Buba Galadima accusing Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje of insulting former President Muhammadu Buhari, and I could not remain silent while the reputation of a respected nationalist is being dragged in the mud,” Okpala said.
He maintained that Ganduje, a two-term governor of Kano State and former APC National Chairman, would not engage in personal insults, noting that his political career reflects democratic values and institutional respect.
Reacting to claims that Ganduje was allegedly disgraced or prevented from installing a successor in the 2023 elections, Okpala dismissed such assertions as untrue.
“Dr. Ganduje was never disgraced.
He successfully completed his two terms in office and left behind visible legacies across several sectors in Kano State,” he stated.
Okpala also rejected allegations that Ganduje used security agencies to influence election outcomes, describing the former governor as a committed democrat with a strong record of political competence.
He further accused Galadima of promoting divisive narratives and showing consistent disregard for political leaders, past and present.
“One of the major challenges of our politics today is the lack of respect for leadership, and Alhaji Buba Galadima has often played into this pattern by promoting negative and misleading narratives,” Okpala said.
He urged senior political actors to demonstrate maturity and responsibility in public discourse, stressing the need to protect democratic values and provide positive examples for younger generations.
“It is time for our elder statesmen to embrace political rectitude and help build a peaceful, united, and respectful political environment, rather than polluting the space with unverified claims,” Okpala concluded.
