• Endorses President Tinubu for Second Term

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The aggrieved G15 governorship aspirants within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has formally rebranded as The Otoge Progressives (TOP), marking a new phase in the movement’s quest to promote inclusive leadership, internal democracy and the preservation of the ideals that inspired the 2019 Otoge political movement.

The announcement was made on Thursday during a Stakeholders’ Engagement and Town Hall meeting held at the Arca-Santa Arena in Ilorin, where the new name, logo and identity of the movement were unveiled.

The movement, which originally comprised ten APC governorship aspirants, members of the National Assembly, party elders and other stakeholders, said the rebranding reflects its rapid expansion since its emergence in June, with more political leaders and grassroots stakeholders identifying with its objectives.

According to the leaders, the transition from G15 to The Otoge Progressives became necessary to accommodate the movement’s growing membership and provide a broader platform for individuals who share its vision of strengthening internal democracy, promoting inclusive politics and sustaining the principles upon which the Otoge movement was founded.

Addressing the gathering, the spokesperson of the movement and former Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Yahaya Oloriegbe, said the rebranding signified growth rather than division, adding that the founding members of the movement remained united and committed to their shared objectives.

He said the movement had continued to attract respected political figures and stakeholders from across the state, stressing that its activities were driven by collective interest rather than individual political ambition.

Senator Oloriegbe commended party members and supporters for their steadfastness despite what he described as sustained political pressure and intimidation, assuring them that the leadership of the movement would remain focused on pursuing its stated ideals.

“We are conscious of the difficulties confronting many of our supporters. We are aware of efforts
to secure their allegiance through financial inducements, promises of political appointments
and other personal advantages. We have also received disturbing accounts of threats,
intimidation, blackmail, name-calling and undue pressure directed at those who refuse to
abandon their convictions.”

“We understand the burden you carry. We appreciate the price you are paying for standing on
principle, and we assure you that the leadership of this movement stands firmly beside you.”

Also speaking, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Salman Jawondo, SAN, said the movement regarded the protection of democratic values and internal party democracy as a collective responsibility, adding that its members would continue to pursue their objectives through lawful, democratic and constitutional means.

The bloc also unanimously rejected all candidates produced by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak for elective positions across the state, describing them as a “disgrace to the ideals of Otoge Revolution that stakeholders collectively fought for. They said they’re a conduit by which the Governor hopes to perpetuate himself for a ‘Third Term’ in government after exhausting his constitutionally allowed two-term tenure”.

Earlier at a separate stakeholders’ meeting held at Notkel, Ilorin, participants overwhelmingly endorsed a proposal empowering the leadership of the movement to explore alternative political options ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The approval followed an open voice vote coordinated by Jawondo, after which a committee was proposed to examine available political options and make appropriate recommendations to the leadership within a week.

The meeting also reaffirmed the movement’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. A motion moved by the Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Senator Saliu Mustapha, reaffirmed the stakeholders’ Vote of Confidence in President Tinubu and endorsed his re-election for a second term in office in 2027. The motion received overwhelming support from participants.

Among those in attendance were Senator Saliu Mustapha; Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe; Senator Sodiq Umar; Senator Lola Ashiru; Mr Dele Belgore, SAN; Amb. Yahaya Seriki-Gambari (represented) Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (represented); Hon. Bio Umar; Alhaji Tajudeen AbdulKadir Audu; Senator Ajadi Makanjuola; Senator Ahmed Ahmed; Senator Bisi Oyewo; Hon. Adamu Manko; Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene; Captain Ahmad Mahmud; Hon. James Kolo; Hon. Yinka Aluko; Hon. Tijani; Hon. Razak Owolabi; Hon. Gideon; Hon. Odetundun; Hon. Jimoh Abdulrahman Alapata;

Others include Chief James Bamisaiye Ayenioye, JP; Alhaji Baba Olosasa; Alhaji Baba Adefalu; Barrister Salman Jawondo, SAN; Dr Yakub Yahaya Oloriegbe; Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun (Rtd.); Mallam Adebayo Abdullateef Oloyin, immediate Principal Private Secretary to the Governor; Alhaja Aishat Bolanle Ismail aka Iya-Lamule, SSA Women Mobilisation to the Governor. Party elders across Kwara State; Former public office holders; Women leaders and youth leaders.

To be presented to Gov AbdulRazaq

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The victims abducted during the deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have arrived in Ilorin following their rescue after spending several months in captivity.

They arrived late last night Thursday.

The victims were kidnapped when armed bandits invaded the community earlier this year, killing scores of residents and whisking away many others into the forest, triggering widespread outrage and intensified security operations.

Following sustained military operations and coordinated efforts by security agencies, the victims regained their freedom and were transported from Niger State to Ilorin late Thursday night.

They were received at the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin before being moved to an undisclosed location where they spent the night.

The rescued victims are expected to be officially handed over to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has consistently engaged security authorities to ensure their safe return.

Their arrival marks a major breakthrough in the months-long efforts to secure the release of the abductees, while authorities continue to verify the number of those rescued and provide necessary care and support.

*Hails support of Gov AbdulRazaq, party exco

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliation Committee has submitted its report to the state working committee of the party.

Recall that the party had on 3rd July 2026 set up the five-member committee, chaired by retired Col. AbdulWahab Ademola Lawal to resolve internal disputes following the party’s primary elections.

Presenting the report at the party’s Secretariat in Ilorin, Col. Lawal appreciated the Governor and the party executives for their trust and for giving them an enabling environment to operate.

He said the committee had invited all the aggrieved members in the course of their findings and provided them with a level playing ground to ventilate their grievances, a step, he noted, aided their work.

Col. Lawal said that the committee, however, got assurances of the members to remain in the party and to “not go back to Egypt.”

“I want to say that on the mandate given to us we received the blessings of His Excellency (Gov AbdulRazaq), and the Party Chairman made it clear to us that: “please allow everybody to vent their anger and sentiments and also do what is needful,” he said, adding that the report would go a long way to resolving the disagreements.

“We made it clear to them that this is a family affair; no one is outside the family. All of us are together and in a family. But there are bound to be disagreements and therefore they should see us as mediators.”

Responding, the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, thanked the committee for their “thankless” efforts, and pledged that the state leadership of the party would do everything humanly possible to do justice to the report.

He described Col Lawal as highly disciplined and a diplomat per excellence, adding all members of the committee are people of integrity.

“When we go through the report of the committee, we will do all that is humanly possible to make sure we remain as a family. We are appealing to all that are aggrieved to await the actions that will be taken after the presentation of the committee’s report,” Fagbemi said.

Other members of the reconciliation committee are the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, AIG Ahmed Abbas, Engr. Musa Yeketi, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Opawoye and Hajia Kubura Kassum.

At the brief event were some senior government officials, elders, and executives of the party.