JUST IN: Afagase Blasts ‘Political Parasites,’ Declares Governor Fully Behind Him at Akoko-Edo Empowerment Event
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency seat, Hon. Paul Johnson Afagase, has taken a swipe at unnamed political figures in Akoko-Edo, Local Government Area, accusing them of deceiving the people, enriching themselves through public office, and falsely claiming the endorsement of the Edo State Governor.
Afagase made the remarks today Wednesday 13th May, 2026 while speaking at the annual “Rose of Izazi” empowerment programme for women and children, organised by Mrs. Joy Billy Akande, founder of The Rose of Izazi Foundation.
Praising the organiser for her consistency and commitment to education and community development, Afagase described the initiative as a model of selfless service that should be emulated across Akoko-Edo.
“This programme started around 2012. A child born then would already be in secondary school today. That tells you the level of commitment and love Joy Billy Akande has for education and for the people of Akoko-Edo,” he said.
He contrasted such efforts with what he described as politicians who have occupied several public offices without attracting meaningful development to their communities.
“We should emulate people who genuinely love the people, not those who think only about themselves. Some have served in different capacities but cannot point to one project they facilitated for their communities. The only thing we hear about them is accumulation of wealth,” Afagase stated.
The APC stalwart also condemned the misuse of public office for personal enrichment, insisting that public service should not be treated as a business venture.
“If you want wealth, go and do business and leave public service alone. You cannot continue taking public wealth and converting it to personal property. It is wrong before humanity and before God,” he declared.
Afagase further accused some political appointees in Akoko-Edo of hiding behind the governor’s name to mislead party members and the public.
According to him, those individuals were recent political converts who neither understood nor contributed to the governor’s political journey before his emergence.
“We have a governor who is performing and building the APC, but some individuals privileged to get appointments are now using his name to spread falsehood. They keep saying ‘the governor said’ when the governor said nothing,” he said.
“We knew and worked for the governor long before some of them came close to him. We campaigned for him across Akoko-Edo and beyond. We made sacrifices for him that many people still do not know about. The governor knows and appreciates what we did.”
Speaking on the issue of consensus within the APC, Afagase maintained that any decision regarding the party’s future in Akoko-Edo must reflect the wishes of the grassroots and not a few influential individuals.
“Consensus is about the people, not a few persons sitting in their homes making decisions for everyone. The people of Akoko-Edo APC will decide where we are going,” he said.
He also criticised politicians who allegedly moved between political camps during past crises in Edo politics, saying they lacked loyalty and credibility.
“Some of them worked with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, later moved to Obaseki when there was crisis, and now they are back claiming the governor supports them. They destroyed the party before, but now the APC has become stronger and more formidable,” he added.
Afagase concluded by expressing confidence in his relationship with the governor and insisted that those opposing him were merely “a group of friends gathered together.”
“The governor is with us. Our governor is fully with us. He is 100 percent with me. Those making noise today in Akoko-Edo are political parasites who can no longer deceive the people,” he declared.
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