Kwara PDP Accuses Governor Abdulrazaq Of Downplaying Insecurity.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has sharply criticised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, alleging that he is downplaying the escalating insecurity in the state by communicating through aides rather than addressing the public directly. The opposition party claims the governor’s approach reflects an “absentee style of leadership” that fails to address the pressing concerns of residents.
In a statement released on Thursday, 21 August 2025, Olusegun Adewara, the PDP’s state publicity secretary, condemned the governor for praising President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in combating insurgency in other parts of Nigeria while insecurity continues to plague Kwara. The statement highlighted recent banditry, kidnappings, and terror attacks in communities such as Babanla, Oke-Ode, Patigi, Edu, Kaiama, and Baruten, where residents are reportedly living in fear, with many displaced and farmlands abandoned.
Adewara described the governor’s reliance on his chief press secretary to issue statements as reducing governance to a “tenant-agent transaction.” He argued that this approach creates a false sense of normalcy, accusing Abdulrazaq of being disconnected from the realities faced by Kwarans. “It is highly insensitive and irresponsible for the governor to hail arrests of terror kingpins in other states while Kwara communities are bleeding,” Adewara stated, adding that the state’s security situation has deteriorated under Abdulrazaq’s leadership.
The PDP contrasted Kwara’s situation with states like Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Kaduna, and Niger, where governors have actively engaged with communities and shown empathy towards victims of insecurity. The party urged Abdulrazaq to emulate these examples by confronting the crisis directly and working closely with local communities to address the growing threat.
The statement also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the violence and bring perpetrators to justice. The PDP expressed solidarity with affected communities, reiterating its commitment to advocating for the safety and well-being of Kwara residents.
In response, the Kwara State government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the PDP’s allegations. However, Governor Abdulrazaq has previously noted that his administration is working with security agencies to tackle criminal activities in the state’s hinterlands, though he emphasized that details of such operations remain sensitive.