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By
Sulaiman Agbabiaka
After over five years in the saddle, it has become clearer to a vast majority of Kwarans that the incumbent All Progressives Congress, APC administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has nothing tangible to offer them in terms of good governance. Despite promises of progress, the state’s landscape is marred by poorly executed projects, white elephant projects, neglect of workers’ welfare, insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Kwarans, and a lack of impactful governance. This explains why the people are increasingly disillusioned with the government, the reflection of which we saw during the last local government elections.
When I took a closer look at the projects Governor Abdulrazaq is prioritising within Ilorin metropolis, I saw a pattern of investments that are at variance with the actual developmental needs of Kwarans.
Rather than responding to the needs assessment of local communities scattered across the state, Governor has funneled billions of Naira into irrelevant and showcase projects that are awarded at humongous contract sums and concentrated at a specific area. An instance is the ‘rehabilitation’ of the dual carriage Folawiyo road at Unity, which gulped over N1.6 billion. This is a road that was in good shape and motorable. Equally concerning is the alleged N4billion allocated to the ongoing rehabilitation of Emir’s road. These projects seem to serve only as a checklist, rather than addressing the pressing needs of Kwarans.
The lack of transparency and accountability on funds spent on projects by this administration is also troubling. Many of the projects are awarded in secret and at huge amounts undisclosed to the public. Soon, Governor Abdulrazaq will have to account for why such large sums are spent on projects that seem less beneficial to the public and could potentially have been completed for far lesser amounts.
Some of these projects are even poorly executed and deteriorate so quickly. An example is the Gaa Akanbi to Agbabiaka route (My Area) and even the recently patched Asa Dam road is now a shadow of itself. The big question is: Are these efforts meant to benefit Kwarans, or just to fill a checklist?
When people question the actual value of these projects, they’re not just being cynical—they’re being practical.
For Kwara workers, their situation is dire as they face a 400% tax hike amidst economic hardship, and with a poorly implemented minimum wage. workers are being squeezed dry, with no tangible improvements in their quality of life. The 3-month tax holiday the government announced a few days ago is a Greek gift that worths no commendation or celebration. What the workers’ union ought to be demanding now is a review of the state’s salary structure that was designed to further impoverish the workers. Wages being paid to workers in Kwara are far lesser to what their counterparts in neighbouring states take home as their monthly pay.
The informal sector that has been a critical component of Kwara’s economy is gradually being obliterated under the guise of urban renewal. Hundreds of shops and businesses have shutdown in different parts of the metropolis by the government, causing untold hardship for business owners and their families. Only an insensitive government would go on a shop demolition spree at this difficult period for ordinary Nigerians.
As the Governor Abdulrazaq-led government becomes increasingly disconnected from the plight of the masses, Kwarans are beginning to see the administration what it really is. The recent local government elections revealed the ruling party’s loss of goodwill among Kwarans. It was clear to all that exercise was massively rigged in favour of the APC and its candidates. Through the election, Kwarans delivered a message that they have had enough of deception, disregard, and disservice from the Abdulrazaq administration.
The path to 2027 will be rocky for the APC and its candidates, as their track record will be scrutinized at the polls. Two more years won’t fix the issues they’ve created or ignored. Kwarans seek leaders who truly care about their, not those who prioritise self-interest. The people of Kwara State will not be fooled by emptyni promises and jejune propaganda in 2027. They demand accountability, transparency, and genuine leadership that prioritises their needs.
Sulaiman Agbabiaka writes from Ilorin, kwara Capital.
