We have read an online publication that was focused on campaign of calumny against the person of Senator Tayo Alasoadura who is an APC chieftain and the immediate past Minister of State for Niger Delta.

Ordinarily, this type of publication authored by faceless and obviously disgruntled individuals ought to have been ignored; but for the realization that a lie that is allowed to flow and fly unrestricted by account of proper event perspective, may be taken to be the truth by unsuspecting members of the public.

To start with, a 20-paragraph publication that has no name, address, signature or even designation of the author, can only at best be a concocted tissue of lies. At least, fairness demands that anyone that is bold enough to push out a 20-paragraph unconscionable and outright falsehoods should equally be courageous still to at least attach a name, even if it is a pseudo name.

In best global journalistic practice, one of the easiest indicators of a crudely fake, unsubstantiated and downrightly falsified publication is a deliberate ploy to lean towards anonymity. The 20-paragraphs tissue of lies against Senator Tayo Alasoadura is also against the Law of Natural Justice which stipulates that he that accuses also has the onus to prove same allegation. Sadly, the faceless persons that have wrongly accused Senator Alasoadura of anti-party activities are not even known let alone make any effort to prove their undeniably false claims.

Notwithstanding the fact that authors of this ill-intended and ill-motivated allegations against Senator Alasoadura are unknown, we have on our own thought it necessary to put lies to the fabricated raised in the publication in question.

The publication claimed that Chief Alasoadura held series of nocturnal meetings for the purpose of working against the interest of the political party that made him a minister and a senator. Nothing else can be farther from the truth. These are merely wild and ungodly allegation. Anyway, we challenge the faceless authors of this publication to provide video or audio evidence of their claim. After all, whoever that alleges must prove same same.

It can only amounts to turning down logic on its head if a man who created and lavishly funded mobilization group for his political party, APC to still be accused of working against candidates of the same party. This is simply illogical and such wild allegation must be discountenanced and condemned by all discerning members of the All Progressive Congress.

It is on record that the same man being accused of anti-party activities gave financial and moral support to all the National Assembly candidates of APC in the just concluded general elections. The same Senator Tayo Alasoadura
had earlier given N10million for the renovation of APC party secretariat in Akure.

Chief Alasoadura demonstrated the spirit of a true party man during the
second term election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The man being falsely accused of anti-party activities gave and did everything within his powers for the re-election of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu even in a contest that involved a fellow Akure man.

Despite being a candidate himself in the 2019 elections, Senator Alasoadura was about the only person that gave financial support to all candidates of the APC during the election. Any individual that tilts with anti-party tendencies would not have ever done this. Truth is, between then and now, Chief Alasoadura is still as resolutely committed to the APC as ever.

No one can deny the fact that Senator Alasoadura deployed resources, mobilized and also worked tirelessly for the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as other candidates of his party in the just concluded general elections. Notwithstanding the ongoing maligning of Chief Alasoadura, he is still very much committed to ensuring victory for all Akure North candidates of the APC in the House of Assembly election scheduled for March 11 ,2023.

Contrary to false claim in the publication, achievements of Senator Tayo Alasoadura as Minister of State for Niger Delta are undeniably evident across and even beyond Ondo Central Senatorial District. No one can in good conscience claim not to enjoy the illuminating service of the solar street lights installed all over the state by Chief Alasoadura.

In addition, road projects that were facilitated in Ondo State by Chief Alasoadura are there for all to see. Contrary to the claim of failed water projects facilitated by Senator Alasoadura, those enjoying these water till today are very much appreciative of this thoughtful project by the former Minister of State for Niger Delta.

However, it particularly saddens that the obviously uninformed and paid authors of the publication in question claimed that Chief Alasoadura failed to embark on any meaningful empowerment project while in office as a minister. This is totally far from the truth as record and evidence loudly point to the contrary.

We can gladly assert that Senator Alasoadura actually trained several thousands of Ondo State youths and also backed up the trainings with financial empowerment. Without being immodest we can boldly state that Chief Alasoadura influenced the disbursement of N500,000 each as grant to more than 3000 persons across Ondo State while in office as Minister of State for Niger Delta.

We will not hesitate to provide evidence of all our claims provided those behind the vicious campaign of calumny and blackmail against Senator Tayo Alasoadura will be courageous enough to unmask and reveal their true identities to the public.

Most importantly, senator Alasoadura is known over decades as man who has dedicated himself to communal growth and party development. The blatantly false claim against the innocent man is wicked, unnecessary and it smacked-off venomous hatred for Chief Alasoadura.

It should be well acknowledged that Senator Tayo Alasoadura is a senior citizen and an elder statesman for that matter. For this reason, the man deserves to get accorded his due respect. The man is also at liberty to keep a low profile for now having given his all to the service of Nigeria, Ondo State, Akure North Local Government and the All Progressive Congress. The decision of low profile made by the senior citizen is not out of place and should not be misconstrued to mean something else. Chief Alasoadura should at least be allowed to savour the bliss of his low profile decision.


Ayodele Ademola writes from Akure