The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has dismissed a report circulating on social media and some online news platforms that the party’s leadership was administering ritual oaths to its members.

The party described the allegation as baseless and an attempt by unknown elements to damage its image, built over the years. It stated that the allegation was not only malicious and unfounded but also libellous, insisting that oath-taking is a practice alien to the party’s system in Ogun.

This was made known in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Olufemi Nuberu, on Friday.

Nuberu said that the claims were deliberately fabricated by some agents to spread falsehoods about the party and to instill fear among the public, aiming to deliberately undermine the party’s popularity. He emphasized that the party’s leadership won’t take any action against its constitutional provisions.

The statement partly reads, “The APC categorically denies the existence of any ritual oath-taking event involving its members or leaders. The claims are not only fabricated but also designed to incite public disaffection, spread fear, and damage the reputation of the party and its officials. The event described in the publication is a complete fiction, and the party dissociates itself entirely from such irresponsible reporting.”

“As a law-abiding and responsible political organization, the APC operates strictly within the framework of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and its own constitution. While oath-taking is a recognized constitutional practice for affirming loyalty and service to the nation, it is strictly regulated by the Oaths Act, which outlines the qualifications of authorized persons to administer oaths and the purposes for which they may be administered. The APC condemns any action that contravenes these legal and ethical standards,” it added. (The Guardian)