admin 
Sulaiman Onimago
On Tuesday evening, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State and an ally of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, appeared on the popular ‘Politics Today’ programme on Channels TV. This comes a few days after another prominent APC chieftain, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo appeared on the same programme, where he appraised the performance of Governor Abdulrazaq and candidly admitted that the APC-led government in Kwara State had failed its citizens, citing the governor’s incompetence and poor governance as key factors.
Adedoyin’s appearance on the same TV show was, therefore, apparently orchestrated by the governor’s camp to respond to Akogun’s criticisms and defend the administration’s record. However, rather than delivering a compelling defense or showcasing the achievements (if there are any) of Abdulrazaq’s administration, Adedoyin struggled for almost the entire duration of the interview. His inability to convincingly address the allegations or effectively market the administration’s accomplishments only served to reinforce the criticisms levelled by Akogun.
Since the programme aired, I have observed how APC loyalists and supporters of the governor have attempted to frame Adedoyin’s performance as a success, offering exaggerated praise for his presentation. However, the truth is that his appearance was lackluster and a missed opportunity to to market AA and his administration. This sentiment has been widely reflected in the reactions of several Kwarans and Nigerians who followed the broadcast, many of whom viewed it as an embarrassing outing for both Adedoyin and the Abdulrazaq government. The Kwara APC apologists also tried to present the programme’s anchor, Seun Okinbaloye as someone who had scores to settle with Governor Abdulrazaq and his party. This is outright false. Regular followers of the show know that Okinbaloye loves to ask probing questions from his quests, especially political leaders.
During his own appearance on Politics Today, Akogun Oyedepo did not mince words in his assessment of the present APC-led administration in Kwara State, submitting that the government has failed to meet the expectations of Kwarans. He then categorically confessed that the APC has failed Kwarans, citing looting, wastage of state’s funds on needless and white elephant projects, decline in public infrastructure, rising poverty and a distressed local economy.
Akogun’s criticism, grounded in facts and observations, painted a grim picture of a state government that has seemingly lost trust of the people. These are not baseless allegations. The growing discontent among Kwarans over the current state of governance lends credence to Akogun’s observations. With each passing day, more people are questioning the administration’s spending habits, priorities and its inability to deliver on its promises of greater transparency and accountability, improved workers’ welfare, economic development and prosperity for the people.
Given the seriousness of these accusations, when it was announced that Mr Raheem Adedoyin would appear on Politics Today, which is anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, Kwarans and other members of the public were looking forward to a spirited and fact-based defense from him. However, the APC chieftain failed to rise to the occasion. For much of the interview, Adedoyin appeared to flounder, offering generic responses that lacked substance. His struggle to articulate tangible achievements of the Abdulrazaq administration highlighted a stark reality: there are few, if any, significant accomplishments to showcase.
To be fair, Adedoyin’s poor outing wasn’t on account of his incapacity as he is a brilliant communicator and respected veteran journalist; it was a consequence of the inept leadership and failure of the Governor he was sent to market. It is hard and almost impossible to defend an administration that has little to show for its time in office Even the best communicators and spin doctors in the world would struggle to market a failed product. Adedoyin’s struggle reflects not a personal incapacity as some commentators are insinuating, but the systemic shortcomings of a government that has prioritised irrelevancies and optics over substance and impacts.
Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration has consistently touted projects and policies that fail to address the critical needs of the people. From questionable spending decisions to the neglect of critical infrastructure, the government has demonstrated a troubling disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary Kwarans. It has failed to implement projects and programmes that have the capacity to stimulate socio-economic activities in the state and positively impact the lives of the people. The government has shown it lacks visionary and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the state. How do you defend a government that has failed to even marginally improve the welfare and quality of lives of its people, as poverty and unemployment rates of the state continue to soar? How do you defend a man that is sabotaging the local economy by ruining businesses under the guise of urban renewa
Days back again, I saw a video of vendors lamenting the low turnout and poor sales they recorded at the Trade Fair organised by the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA). The vendors who are visibly angry and frustrated are demanding refund of N40,000 they each paid to secure a stand at the fair. The poor turnout at the Trade Fair is part of the direct consequences of the anti-people policies of the APC government, both at the state and national levels. AA has, through his numerous anti-masses policies, drastically reduced the purchasing power of Kwarans and subjected them to untold hardship and despondency. Today, a large number of Kwarans are struggling to afford basic daily necessities of life.
Tell me, how do you defend a government that chose to spend almost N18billion on the renovation of a hotel at the expense of critical developmental projects? How can any leader decide it’s time to waste N17.8billion to renovate a hotel in a state where workers are not well paid and when pensioners receive as low as N11,000 as monthly pension? In 20, 30 years’ time, Kwara cannot recoup the nearly N18billion being spent on Kwara Hotel, and by that time, the facility would be requiring another renovation. How do you market a government that used almost 3 years to build a controversial flyover and that has refused to open the facility for public use a year after its completion?
Raheem Adedoyin’s struggle on Politics Today and the reactions that have followed it should serve as a wake-up call for the Abdulrazaq administration. Instead of relying on loyalists to spin narratives that are disconnected from reality or pushing out false performance claims, the government must focus on genuine governance and impactful policies. The people of Kwara are bored and tired of empty rhetoric and failed promises.
As I conclude, I wish to draw the attention of responsible and patriotic Kwarans to ongoing attempts by Abdulrazaq’s men, led by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, to tarnish the character and integrity of Akogun Oyedepo for pointing out the leadership failures of the governor. This is a familiar tactic from their playbook; they are fond of attacking and disparaging anyone who dares to critique or demand accountability from their ineffectual paymaster. I, therefore, encourage well-meaning Kwarans to see through these crude tactics of Abdulrazaq’s media handlers and data boys, and reject their futile attempts to dismiss Akogun’s criticism as mere political opposition or self-serving rhetoric, but rather as reflection of the frustrations of many Kwarans.
Unfortunately, some concerned Kwarans have refrained from commenting on the dire state of affairs in Kwara for fear of being targeted by Governor Abdulrazaq’s army of overzealous aides and sycophantic data boys. We must not allow them intimidate or suppress dissenting voices. Doing so is an affront to democracy. Governor Abdulrazaq should know that he cannot escape scrutiny and accountability. No amount of propaganda or attacks on critics can shield him from the consequences of his administration’s failures. The day of reckoning is approaching, and the people of Kwara State will demand answers.
