Politics
STATUE OF EX-GHANA PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO DESTROYED
A statue of Ghana’s immediate past President, Nana Akufo-Addo, put up at the end of last year has been destroyed.
The unveiling by Akufo-Addo of his own likeness in November in the country’s Western Region sparked a social media backlash, as well as being mocked and described as “self-glorification”.
Its launch had been in honour of the president’s development initiatives.
On Monday, local media shared images showing the statue in a ruined state, with its severed head lying on the ground. It is not clear who had targeted the sculpture or what the motive was and the police have not commented.
The torso also appears to have been destroyed, and only a damaged pedestal remains in place.
Akufo-Addo stepped down as president last week after serving two terms in power. His party’s candidate to replace him was heavily defeated in December’s presidential election.
The statue had already been partially vandalised last month with one leg being damaged. The statue of the former president was unveiled in November
Some local residents had earlier been calling for the sculpture to be removed, but the local authorities had pledged at the time of the initial damage to have it repaired.
Its destruction has elicited mixed reactions, with some condemning it while others saying there could have been a better way to deal with it.
One resident told local Citi FM outlet that it was “of no benefit to the people, so if it’s destroyed, it’s normal.”
Another said this was unfortunate and there should have been a “proper, civil way to get it removed” adding that that the action would have negative consequences for supporters of the former president’s party.
Joy FM quoted another resident as saying he was happy it had been destroyed.
Last year, critics questioned the use of public funds for its construction, especially at a time the country was facing economic hardship.
Ghana has in recent years been experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation and last year received a $3billion (£2.5bn) bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The cost-of-living crisis was a key campaign issue in last month’s election. President John Mahama, who won the vote in a landslide, has in the past criticised the erection of the statue.
He said it was up to the people to honour the former president for his achievements, describing the statue as insensitive given the hardships being faced by the people.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as the date for the screening of aspirants seeking to contest for national offices at its forthcoming national convention.
In a notice issued by the party’s Aspirants’ Screening Committee, Secretary, His Excellency, Isa Yuguda stated that aspirants who have purchased and submitted their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms are required to attend the exercise in person.
The screening is scheduled to hold at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, with proceedings set to commence at 9:00 a.m.
According to the statement, aspirants are expected to arrive early and come along with all relevant supporting documents for verification.
The committee stressed that attendance is mandatory for all aspirants, as the exercise forms a critical part of the process leading to the party’s 2026 national convention.
For further enquiries, aspirants and stakeholders are advised to contact the committee via 08034537560, 08062292972, or 08028925141.
Politics
2027 Shake-Up: Kogi Governor Allegedly Double-Dealing, Campaigns for Opposition in Mopamuro
In a development sending shockwaves through Kogi State politics, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has been accused of orchestrating support for opposition candidates, raising fresh questions about his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to an APC chieftain in Mopamuro Local Government Area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the governor directed his political appointees led by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo to campaign for ADC’s Hon. Leke Abejide in his bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
Eyewitnesses said the rally saw appointees don T-shirts and caps celebrating APC achievements but without any party logos, creating confusion about their political stance.
Many APC faithful reportedly resisted participating, with some sustaining minor injuries after falling off vehicles during the walk.
Following the event, appointees from Mopamuro were allegedly summoned to a meeting where they were given an ultimatum: support the ADC candidate or resign.
The insider claimed this move undermines the rotational arrangement in Yagba Federal Constituency, where Mopamuro is expected to produce the next representative.
“It is astonishing that a sitting governor would order his own appointees to campaign for a candidate of another party,” the source said. “It smacks of double-dealing and raises serious questions about his political intentions.”
Attempts to reach Governor Ododo and Commissioner Fanwo for comment were unsuccessful.
Political analysts warn that if these claims are substantiated, they could spark internal crises within APC and reshape the electoral landscape in Kogi State ahead of 2027.
The Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has distanced itself from a lawsuit currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that it neither authorised nor endorsed the legal action.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the party’s state leadership clarified that the suit, reportedly filed on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees nationwide, does not represent the position of the Lagos chapter.
State Chairman Gbenga Asiru said the chapter was not consulted prior to the filing of the case and did not grant approval to any individual or group to act on its behalf.
“The action represents the personal position of the named plaintiffs and does not reflect the stance of ADC Lagos State,” the statement read.
The chapter reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, the rule of law, and unity within the party, stressing that while individuals have the right to seek judicial interpretation, such actions must not be portrayed as collective decisions.
ADC Lagos added that it remains focused on strengthening its internal structures and advancing the interests of its members and supporters.