REBUTTAL: SAHARA REPORTERS, NICHOLAS MUTU AND THE LAST KICK OF A DYING HORSE

By Comrade Chris .E. Anthony, Chancellor, Basil Ganagana Campaign Organization

The attention of concerned stakeholders, party faithful, and the good people of Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency has been drawn to the flood of falsehood, propaganda, and misleading narratives being circulated across social media platforms and the well-known compromised Sahara Reporters media outlet following the overwhelming victory of Rt. Hon. Basil Okolobaowei Ganagana in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the Bomadi/Patani Federal House of Representatives election held on Friday, 15th May 2026.

Ordinarily, the clear outcome of the primary election should have marked the end of political speculation and the beginning of reconciliation and unity within the party. Unfortunately, some disgruntled supporters of Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu, unable to come to terms with the democratic verdict delivered by party members, have chosen the path of misinformation, blackmail, and manufactured propaganda by falsely claiming that the election was manipulated and that Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu won the primaries.

Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The reality is clear, verifiable, and already widely acknowledged across the constituency and Delta State political structure: Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana won the primaries convincingly and overwhelmingly across the constituency. The rejection of Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu by party stakeholders was not accidental; it was the culmination of years of growing public dissatisfaction, political fatigue, and the increasing demand for democratic renewal, leadership expansion, and fair representation within Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

Indeed, Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu reportedly lost support across multiple wards, including his own Akugbene Ward, a development that speaks volumes about the changing political mood within the constituency.

For nearly three decades, the people of Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency repeatedly expressed concems over ineffective representation, limited visible federal presence, absence of landmark legislative accomplishments, and the failure to sufficiently address critical ecological and developmental challenges confronting the constituency.

Particularly painful to many constituents was the continued environmental vulnerability affecting communities such as Akugbene, which has for years suffered severe coastal and environmental erosion despite the prolonged legislative stay and strategic committee influence associated with Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu's position in the National Assembly.

Over time, many citizens increasingly came to the conclusion that the constituency deserves broader democratic participation, leadership transition, and fresh representation capable of restoring political confidence and opening new developmental possibilities for the people.

Long before the primaries, the signs of political rejection had already become obvious and impossible to ignore. The series of protests witnessed across Patani, Bomadi, and even at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja clearly demonstrated the growing public demand for change, fairness, and political inclusion within the constituency.

It is particularly unfortunate that certain online platforms and politically aligned media outlets have continued to amplify misleading narratives regarding the outcome of the APC primaries. One such example is the publication circulated by Sahara Reporters on May 20, 2026, which echoed claims suggesting that Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu won the primary election despite the widely acknowledged outcome confirming the overwhelming victory of Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana.

Such reports stand in sharp contrast to the political realities within Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, where stakeholders, party faithful, and community leaders across the constituency clearly expressed their preference for democratic renewal, leadership expansion, and a new direction for the constituency.

No media narrative, however amplified, can alter the democratic verdict already delivered by the people and acknowledged by party leaders and stakeholders across Delta State.

If indeed Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu's political ambition has always been driven primarily by service to the people rather than personal political continuation, then this moment presents a historic opportunity for him to demonstrate true statesmanship by respecting the clearly expressed will of the stakeholders, and people of Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

It is important to emphasize that democracy requires not only the courage to contest elections, but also the maturity and honour to accept defeat when the people have spoken.

At this moment, the most statesmanlike and dignified path available to Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu is to accept the outcome of the primaries in good faith, congratulate Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, and allow the constituency to move forward peacefully after nearly three decades of his representation.

The people of Bomadi/Patani have already acknowledged and appreciated his years of service. Political leaders, elders, opinion moulders, stakeholders, youths, and women across the constituency have repeatedly recognized his long political journey and contributions to public life.

However, democracy must also create room for renewal, inclusion, and leadership transition.

The emergence of Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana is therefore not the product of manipulation, but the direct outcome of a strong and unmistakable democratic consensus delegates and the people of the constituency who overwhelmingly demanded political expansion and a new direction for Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

No amount of social media propaganda or sponsored misinformation can overtum the will of the people.

The people have spoken.

Democracy has prevailed.

And a new chapter has begun in Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

SIGNED

FOR: BASIL GANAGANA CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION:

CHRIS E. ANTHONY CHANCELLOR