Kidnap Rumour Against Adelabu’s PA Is Defamation, He Has No Hand in It — Awogboro

Comrade Femi Awogboro, media aide to the immediate past Minister of Power and 2027 APC gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has cautioned individuals linking Ajiboye Sangogade, Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, to the recent kidnapping of the former minister’s sister and twin nephews in Ibadan to immediately desist from spreading what he described as false and malicious allegations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Awogboro maintained that Sangogade had no involvement whatsoever in the kidnapping incident, warning that those peddling the rumour should refrain from further defamatory actions or be prepared to face legal consequences.

He described the allegations against Sangogade as baseless, malicious, and unwarranted, stressing that the claims were part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image and reputation of Adelabu’s aide.

According to Awogboro, a recent press briefing and media interview granted by the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on the kidnapping incident effectively cleared Sangogade of any wrongdoing, as his name was never mentioned among those linked to the crime.

He challenged those spreading the allegations to indicate where the police spokesperson implicated Sangogade in the case, noting that the police only mentioned an individual identified as Segun in connection with the kidnapping and never associated Sangogade with the criminal act.

Awogboro further alleged that those promoting the narrative were motivated by political considerations and should understand that not every issue should be politicised.

He noted that the police account of the incident had exposed what he described as “lies and fabricated stories” being circulated by certain individuals. He also recalled that the same group had previously alleged that Chief Adelabu intended to hand over the APC ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election to Sangogade, who is not even from the constituency. However, Hon. Wale Olatunji Murphy eventually emerged as the party’s candidate.

“This is not the first time these individuals have engaged in spreading falsehoods and rumours. Lies have become their stock-in-trade. We therefore urge members of the public and party faithful not to fall for their antics,” the statement said.

“It has come to our notice that some individuals, who are enemies of progress and the development of Oyo State, are circulating rumours that the Personal Assistant to Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Ajiboye Sangogade, orchestrated the kidnapping of Chief Adelabu’s sister and nephews in Ibadan.

“We categorically reject this claim because it is entirely false and without any basis.”

Awogboro described Sangogade as a man of integrity with an admirable reputation, impeccable pedigree, and commendable antecedents.

He insisted that Sangogade could neither participate in nor support such a criminal act, adding that those responsible for spreading the allegations were engaging in a deliberate campaign of character assassination.

“We therefore reject the claim in its entirety because we know that he has no connection whatsoever with the incident being speculated upon,” he stated.

The media aide warned that any further attempt to damage Sangogade’s reputation would be strongly resisted and that all lawful measures would be pursued to ensure that anyone found culpable of spreading defamatory information is held accountable.