News

Kwara APC and the mismanagement of ‘platter of gold victory’

Published

6 years ago

November 3, 2019

By Tunde Akanbi

Not even the Chief Imam of Mecca or the Pope, in his seclusion, would have predicted that AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the incumbent Governor of Kwara State, would emerge the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the shadow poll of the party held in Ilorin, the state capital, talk less of crowning it with victory in the last governorship election.

It is perhaps saved to describe this development as a manifestation of divine power over mere mortals.

In spite the fact that America and other developed nations of the world are above two hundred years old in democratic experimentation, the victory of the incumbent American President, Donald Trump, against the then much touted Hillary Clinton for instance, is still a big surprise and inexplicable to most Americans and other Nationals alike.

However, the difference between us, Nigerians and Africans and the developed nations, is that the latter shove aside politics after elections and prioritize real governance.

Politicians in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, begin political bickering, hatred and anti-party activities immediately elections are over and even vow never to be part of the success of the party that won or the government of the day.

Now coming to my area of interest, and of great concern and worry is what has gained currency in Kwara State, particularly among the political class. During the 2019 governorship and other elections held in kwara state specifically, the electorate rolled out the drums to celebrate the victory of the APC, even surprisingly and particularly that of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Immediately after his swearing-in as governor, AbdulRazaq swung into action with attendant applause from every nook and corner of the 52 year old state. One thing that distinguishes the Governor is his modest way of doing things, coupled with his antecedents in the private sector where he cut his teeth and succeeded.

Even on the day he received his Certificate of Return at INEC office in Ilorin, he equally assisted the then Deputy Governor-elect, Mr Kayode Alabi, now Deputy Governor to collect his own Certificate of Return. This alone typifies the Governor’s certain degree of simplicity.

And from the onset, the Governor does not only go solo, he prefers less talks but swift actions. Little wonder that he has been, at various times, reputed for demystifying governance.

The question now is, how has his ideas, qualities or what some politicians would describe as weakness assisted or affected him in governing the state?

With the emerging internal wrangling in the ruling APC, out of which the opposition or those, who lost the contest to AbdulRazaq within the APC in the state could make fortunes of, pundits have become critical of the party as unprepared for governance but only to grab power from the “Saraki Dynasty” and from Senator Bukola Saraki in particular.

It is our hope and prayer that the APC slogan that started with “O to Ge”, which later metamorphosed to “O to Pe”, “Iseya” and “Ise nlo”, will not end up to “Ijaya”, meaning it is time for squabbles.

This is coming less than two hundred days in office of the present administration where all things being equal, the present government still has well over three and half years and even more to administer the state of harmony.

It is still fresh in our minds that the immediate past government spent years in office and were able to manage their differences as it were, probably because the government then had a leader it deferred to.

Is it not too early for the new bride of Kwara State, the APC to be heading for divorce?

I suppose, we have responsible and responsive leaders in the ruling party but it seems they are yet to come to terms with the defeat they have become synonymous to in the past. Apparently, it is now herculean for them managing the ‘unexpected’ success.

The wave at which the crisis in the party spreads, if care is not taken, may transcend the Tsunami that consumed the PDP from the political arena during the last election in Kwara State. I suppose, we still have elders in the APC in the state or is it my wishful thinking?

I was once told that the APC has no political godfather or a rallying figure in the state, hence nobody can lay claim to anybody’s victory at various elective offices. However, in a situation where some political bigwigs claim they are behind the victory of Abdulraman AbdulRazaq in the last gubernatorial poll, a rumour mill had gone viral that the Governor shut their mouth with ‘Egunje’. Whether it remains within the realm of speculation, the deal is between the governor and those they claimed he had settled.

But inspite of all the insinuations and presumed blackmail, the APC in the state has not run short of heavyweights and leaders of thought, who can resolve the raging political differences among the cleavages without carrying guns, daggers and machetes.

One is worried that the infighting has reached a stage where law enforcement agencies particularly the police, have to be dragged to the party’s gatherings to avoid bloodshed at different fora.

It is today the suspension of a group loyal to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information from Igbomina, who some see as the leader of the party in the state and the Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa BOB group, who is the incumbent Chairman of the party in the state from the same ethnic group with the minister while the following day is the suspension of another faction of the Governor from the Ilorin Emirate, who his loyalists see as their leader. There is a saying that two goats cannot drink water from a bowl simultaneously. But as proverbial as this is, such script is about to be enacted in the political stage of Kwara.

Unfortunately, they are both from two different ethnic blocks in the state that have cat and mouse political history since time immemorial. Except the true, the sincere and the incorruptible leaders of the same party quickly wade into this ugly and frightening development, Kwara might again suffer from the anticipated development we collectively bargained for .

Again, the bigwigs and money bags that are at the centre of the political logjam have to shift grounds for meaningful achievements and development to be physically seen in the four year tenure of the APC in the state so that they will not turn butts of joke in the eyes of Kwarans with the electorate watching the unfolding scenario.

Apart from the leadership tussle, the recent appointment of commissioners with women taken the lion share is again seen as slap on the faces of some aggrieved politicians even from the constituency of the Governor, because they claimed they were not consulted nor know about the nominations.

Different strokes to different folks. The appointment made by Abdulraman AbdulRazaq that some people were grumbling over, has received commendations from both within and outside the country. Even the international community applauded it.

This is so because women that were hitherto relegated in the scheme of things and confined to the other room (apologies to President Muhammadu Buhari), have now been brought to the front burner even above the initial recommendation of the Beijing Conference affirmation of 35% of women in political appointments as it were.

Just recently, about 176 different women groups under the umbrella of More Women Campaign Group converged in Abuja and commended AbdulRazaq for the bold initiative of nominating 56.25% women in his cabinet. Out of the sixteen commissioner-nominees, he allotted nine slots to women.

According to the Group, the questure will be remembered in history as the first of his kind in Nigeria.

The Group however, implored the concerned women to embrace the culture of inclusion, transparency and above all accountability to demonstrate the importance of women contributions to good governance.

It is not unlikely that Governor Abdulrazaq would soon be invited for international awards for this singular decision.

But did some of these grassroots politicians see it as an achievement? It is now left for the concerned women, who have been given this rare opportunity and responsibilities to rise to the challenge and not disappoint the Governor as all eyes are now on them.

In Kwara politics, there are still many bridges to cross. Apart from those at the grassroots or those at the local government areas and even those at the state levels are said to be aggrieved for lack of being recognized or not given political largess or political patronage while that of the ‘Oga at the top’ cannot be ruled out.

Oga at the top believed that Governor AbdulRazaq has sidelined and marginalized him and therefore he is waiting to get back his own pound of flesh. It is been rumoured that at three different occasions, Governor AbdulRazaq disappointed him, namely, the issue of the deputy governorship candidate, the appointment of the speakership of the state House of Assembly and recently, the nomination of names of ministerial nominees submitted to Presidency from the state.

The body language of AbdulRazaq is that business is no longer as usual in Kwara State, so also politics is no longer as usual in the state.

One thing that will again go down in history in the state, that the present administration did is the retention of the workers of the state that were initially employed at the twilight of the immediate past Abdulfatah Ahmed’s adminstration after the screening exercise conducted by the present government.

However, the state is presently sitting on a keg of gunpowder and our prayer is that it does not explode because of the poor suffering electorate, who queued under the rain and sun to cast their votes on the day of election.

Even spiritually, the Muslim Ummah have as their leader, Prophet Muhammad while in Christendom, the leader is Jesus Christ, meaning that any group without a leader can never be focused.

Does it mean that the APC in Kwara State has no acceptable leader that can bring all members under the same umbrella without bias and resolve the crisis that is about tearing the party apart?

This is the time the Elders Forum, if any in the state should rise and save the party from total disintegration and imminent breakup.

Our representatives at both chambers of the National Assembly and even the state House of Assembly should also rise and if they have done so, they need to be more proactive in nipping this ugly trend in the bud. The electorate are watching and counting days as the 2023 elections are miles away.

There is no doubt that there is the tendency for some to misconstrue the governor’s position and personality, but we should all show understanding and eschew distrust and hatred because of the common goal that binds us together as Kwarans.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will leave one day as the Kwara State governor to pave way for another person to take the baton, but Kwara State will ever remain just like the saying in our local parlance that ‘soldier goes, barrack remains’.

Let me now make a special plea to all those concerned or involved either overtly or covertly in the present political crisis that whenever disagreements or discontents occur, they must be resolved by critical engagements rather than through petty and puerile methods as to jaw- jaw is better than to war- war.

Tunde Akanbi, a media consultant, writes from Ilorin via tundeakanbibabby@yahoo.co.uk

News

Former IGP Abubakar Denies Online Report Criticizing Tinubu on Security Issues‎

Published

1 hour ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar (rtd), has debunked a statement circulating online which allegedly quoted him as criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the country’s security challenges.
‎
‎The report, dated August 10, 2025, appeared on a little-known website and social media page under the name “ADC Vanguard.” It credited the retired police chief with remarks suggesting disapproval of the administration’s handling of national security.
‎
‎In a statement issued by his media aide, Mahmud Bello on Monday, the former IGP described the publication as “false, malicious, and a product of mischief makers.” He stated that he had not spoken to the press, granted any interviews, or authorized anyone to speak on his behalf regarding the matter.
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‎“I am a retired security executive enjoying my retirement. I am apolitical and do not involve myself in partisan politics,” Abubakar said. “The statement credited to me should be disregarded, dismissed, and discountenanced in its entirety. It is a figment of the writer’s imagination, created to malign my image and reputation built over the years.”
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‎He further urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified claims that could “unnecessarily heat the polity,” and called on political leaders to place national interest above personal ambition.
‎
‎The former IGP’s reaction comes amid rising concerns over fake news and misinformation in Nigeria’s political space, with growing calls for caution and accountability in public discourse.

News

Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages

Published

6 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Ibrahim Nassar, a Lebanese expatriate worker with Phoenix Import and Export Limited in Kwara State, has gone to the Federal High Court, Ilorin Division, seeking an order compelling the Nigerian Army to release him immediately from his four-month detention without trial.

In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, the applicant identified himself as a citizen of
Lebanon with a valid passport and a lawful resident in Nigeria with a validly issued
Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit, and that he has been living and working
with Phoenix Import and Export Limited, Kaiama in Baruten Local Government Area,
Kwara State for some time now, without any criminal record.

In the Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/87/2025 between Ibrahim Nassar (Applicant) and the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-general Obinna Onubogu; the Chief of Army Staff and; the Nigerian Army (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively), the Lebanese complained that he was unlawfully arrested on 9th May, 2025 by the officers of the 2nd respondent at the instruction or command of the 1st respondent.

According to Nassar, he was detained for many days and was released by the Department of State Security (DSS) when he was not found culpable for any criminal activities. He said he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 and has since been in detention up to now without any criminal charge against him.

Describing his arrest and detention without any justification as illegal, unwarranted, wrongful and unconstitutional, the Lebanese further told the court that he is both asthmatic and diabetic, among other serious medical conditions, and need to seek medical attention.

He alleged that while in the detention of the respondents, he was humiliated, tortured and harassed in order to self-incriminate himself, which he stood his ground against.

He further alleged that he was treated inhumanly as he was detained in a very dark and fearful confinement like a common criminal. In addition, he claimed that he was not fed well and when he ought to be fed, he was just given a very small portion of any meal available not minding the fact that he is not a Nigerian who is no exposed to any sort of foods.

The application by Ibrahim Nassar for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental
Human rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act CAP A9 LFN 2004, United Nations declaration of Human Rights, 1948,
and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, was filed by his counsel,
Prof. M.T. Adekilekun Esq, leading Shareef Mohammed Esq., Prof. A.O. Sambo, Oludare
W. Akanbi, Esq, Maryann Osuyak (Miss) and, A.S Adeyemi, Esq.

In the suit, Ibrahim Nassar is also seeking an order and declaration of the court that his continuous arrest, detention, humiliation, torture, inhuman treatment and harassment by the respondents is unlawful, illegal, ultra vires and grossly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, United Nations Declaration of Human rights, 1948.

He is also seeking an order of the court that he be paid exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) only against the respondents jointly and severally as a result of the infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and dignity of human person, harassments, intimidation, threats and public ridicule occasioned by the Respondents on the applicant.

In addition, Nassar is demanding payment of another One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) as General Damages against the respondents jointly and severally for his unlawful detention, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents by themselves, their officers, servants, agents and privies from: (i) arresting, threatening, intimidating, restraining, harassing and humiliating him or threats thereof.

In an affidavit in support of originating motion for enforcement of fundamental human
right of the applicant, one Vandi Vatiki of Czar Farms Limited, Oke oyi, Ilorin Kwara
State and Phoenix Import and Export Limited, averred that sometime on 9th May, 2025, “the officers of the Nigerian Army (the 3rd respondent) came in a gestapo manner, fully armed with weapons, and bumped into the hotel room of the applicant in Kaiama, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State and arrested him without warrant of arrest and any offence alleged against him.

“That when myself and applicant’s co-Lebanese present made enquiries as to the
offence committed by the applicant, no any reason whatsoever was given.

“That I know as a matter of fact that the applicant was first taken to Sobi Barracks
where he was detained unlawfully and after sometime was transferred to 2nd Division
of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“That the applicant was detained without any offence alleged against him for more than
two weeks and every attempt to get the applicant released proved abortive.

“That one of the steps taken to ensure the release of the applicant was the
engagement of Rashidi Isamotu Esq., to apply for the release of applicant who upon
being engaged wrote a letter titled: “Request for Release of Ibrahim Nassar” dated 20th
May, 2025 to the 1st respondent.

“That instead of the 1st respondent to yield to the simple request since nothing
incriminating was traced to or found with the applicant, he ordered the transfer of the
applicant to the office of Department of DSS Oyo State Command, Ibadan for profiling
and further investigation, having spent two weeks with them at Odogbo Barracks,
Ibadan’

“That the office of DSS in Ibadan, upon proper profiling and investigation of the
applicant, found him not culpable for any offence hence, found no reason why it should
keep the applicant in their custody and consequently transferred the applicant to Kwara
State Command, Ilorin, the state where the applicant was arrested.

“That on getting to Ilorin, the DSS in Ilorin too found nothing incriminating about the applicant and consequently released the applicant without any further delay or hindrance whatsoever.

“That the applicant thought the storm was over and was making attempt to settle down
and attend to his health which has deteriorated due to the unlawful detention,
humiliation and torture meted against him by the 1st respondent and other officers of
the 3rd respondent, he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 by the officers of
the 3rd respondent at the mandate and command of the 1st respondent without warrant
of arrest.

“That the applicant upon being re-arrested on 16th June, 2025 was taken straight to
Odogbo Barracks of the 2 Division of the 3rd respondent like the previous arrest and has
been unlawfully and wrongfully detained since then under the watch of the 1st
respondent who the 2nd respondent failed to check (despite having knowledge of the
unlawful arrest) without any crime alleged against or charge framed against him till
now.

“That attempt was made to secure the release of the applicant again by still engaging
the services of Rasidi Isamotu Esq to write a complaint to the Chief of Army staff, the
2nd respondent in respect of the conduct of the 1st respondent and his officers on the
unlawful detention of the applicant.

That the said Rashidi Isamotu wrote the complaint on the 19th June, 2025 and same
was received and acknowledged by the office of 2nd respondent at Army Headquarters,
FCT, Abuja on the 26th June, 2025.

“That the family and friends of the applicant are in disarray now as nothing is even
heard of the applicant again, making them to be subjected to psychological torture, to
the point that other expatriates working with our company are now living in fear and
trembling as a result of the illegal action of the respondents.

“That sequel to the above, many (if not all) of our expatriates have left the country because they feel that their lives are not safe and secured with the inhuman treated made against the applicant coupled with the unlawful arrest and detention. It could be anybody.

That the applicant has not been charged with any offence before any court of Law in
Nigeria.

“That if this Honourable Court do not intervene as a matter of urgency the life of the
applicant is under imminent threat and may lead to his death.

That unless this application is granted, the applicant will continue to suffer violation of
his fundamental rights of freedom of movement and personal liberty as well as dignity
of human person.

As of the time of this report, the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, were still to respond to a message sent over the weekend, seeking their comments on the allegations by the Lebanese.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

News

Oluwole Foundation Lifts 70 Branch Members Of C&S Church in Ilorin

Published

15 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.

In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.

“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.

He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.

“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.

Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”

The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.

He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.

End