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• Says PDP set to wrest power, hails peaceful state congress
From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
Former Senate president and National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bukola Saraki, has knocked the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Kwara State, accusing it of abandoning its constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
Speaking at the PDP state congress, themed, “Let’s re-secure Kwara,” held in Ilorin, Saraki warned that Kwara was sliding into a state of insecurity that has never been witnessed in its history.
“Our state is being overrun by bandits, kidnappers and killers, who have waged a ceaseless, needless and careless onslaught on our people. Yet, the Kwara State Government and all the people in governance have maintained a posture of apathy and nonchalant attitude,” he said.
He lamented that in the past 12 months, Kwara had recorded alarming cases of violence. “About 70 people have been reportedly killed in Kwara North and South, while about 50 people sustained various forms of injuries. Within the same period, about 42 people have been kidnapped and over 25 communities sacked.”
He said the government’s failure to act violates Section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which makes security and welfare of citizens the primary purpose of government.
He accused the state government of living in denial and suppressing facts, instead of tackling the crisis. “No responsible citizen or party will play politics with the lives and livelihood of her people. But as responsible politicians and political platforms that want to genuinely serve our people, we will not keep quiet.”
Drawing comparison with the past administrations, Saraki insisted that Kwara never experienced this level of insecurity under the PDP leadership. “Did we see this type of security lapses when the late Alhaji Adamu Atta, Senator Cornelius Adebayo or Senator Shaba Lafiagi governed the state? No. Did people abandon their communities when Admiral Lawal was governor? No. I governed this state for eight years, did we face a security crisis like this? No.”
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The former Senate president argued that neighbouring states had fared better. “Insurgency is no longer a menace in Niger State. The state government has chased the criminals out. In Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and even Kogi, insecurity is not as alarming as it is in Kwara. This is just a reflection of the clueless and lackadaisical government we have in Kwara State,” he stressed.
On the way forward, he charged the PDP members to begin mobilising ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The stakes are too high now for Kwarans to reward failure. Our people must be further enlightened and mobilised to vote out the clueless people in the present government of Kwara State.”
He congratulated the newly elected party executives across wards, local governments and the state, commending them for peaceful congresses, which showed the values of good leadership, organisation, and discipline.
He also thanked the outgoing executives, assuring them of future roles in the party.
He reminded party faithful that PDP remained the only viable alternative for Kwarans. “As of today, it is clear to all that PDP is the clear alternative. In Kwara State, the clear choice of our people for making life secure, better and fulfilling is the PDP,” he said.
He noted that the convention was evidence of the PDP’s empathy and responsiveness.
