Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, has firmly rejected the call by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over alleged links between government officials and criminal groups.
The governor, speaking through senior aides, described the accusations as baseless, misleading, and driven by political desperation. According to the state government, the PDP’s claims are part of an attempt to inflame public sentiment and gain relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute follows the circulation of a viral video showing suspected bandits arrested in Auchi, Edo State. In the footage, the suspects allegedly claimed that certain officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded patrol vehicle. The video has since sparked public debate and political tension within the state.
Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the Kwara PDP State Secretary, Abdulrahman Kayode, described the allegations as alarming and capable of undermining public trust in governance. He insisted that the gravity of the claims warranted immediate intervention by the federal government, warning that failure to act could further destabilize the state’s security situation.
Kayode linked the video to recent violent incidents across several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. He cited the September 28 attack on Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where more than 15 residents were reportedly killed. According to him, the attack followed the alleged disarmament of local hunters and vigilantes by a government agent—a sequence of events he described as suspicious.
The opposition party also questioned the identity of an individual referred to as “Oga Victor” in the video, calling on Governor Abdulrazaq to clarify his alleged role in the distribution of government vehicles and weapons to non-state actors. The PDP further demanded an independent investigation by federal security agencies and requested a full audit of all government-branded patrol vehicles operating in the state.
Responding to the accusations, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, dismissed the claims as fabricated and politically motivated. He described the call for emergency rule as a reckless move aimed at stirring fear and unrest among residents.
According to Abdullateef, the allegations amount to the deliberate spread of misinformation, stressing that the Abdulrazaq-led administration remains committed to maintaining peace, security, and transparency across the state.
Similarly, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, denied any involvement of the state government in criminal activities. She stated that no armed bandits were arrested in Ifelodun or any other part of Kwara State by the Nigerian Army or other security agencies, contradicting the opposition’s claims.
Olukoju also emphasized that the state government does not have the legal authority to distribute AK-47 rifles, noting that such weapons are strictly controlled by federal security agencies. She reassured residents that the protection of lives and property remains a core priority of the Abdulrazaq administration and maintained that the government has no ties to criminal elements.
As the political back-and-forth continues, residents and observers are watching closely, with many calling for transparent investigations and calm, while urging all parties to prioritize public safety over political rivalry.
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