Emir Leads, Governor Sleeps: PDP Lauds Royal Visit, Criticizes Abdulrahman’s Inaction

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State is deeply moved by the recent show of leadership, empathy, and courage demonstrated by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu, who on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, undertook a tour of affected communities within his domain to commiserate with the victims of recurring bandit attacks and deadly clashes between local hunters/vigilantes and criminal gangs.

In an atmosphere where victims of insecurity have been left helpless and abandoned by the state government, His Royal Highness’ decision to personally visit Guye Dadi, Guye Doko, Kpotunko, Bussa/Shaaban/Cheko, Gamalegi, Gbugbu, Ekko, Edogi, and Bongifu communities offers a glimmer of hope to grieving families, displaced citizens, and a traumatised population yearning for support and reassurance.

In a statement issued on Friday by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party noted that it is disgraceful that while the Emir, without any security votes or government resources, stood side by side with his people and offered prayers for the departed, hope for the kidnapped, and solace to the wounded, Governor Abdulrazaq has not found it worthy to even issue a statement, let alone make a visit to these bereaved areas and families.

“Under Governor Abdulrazaq’s watch, Patigi, Edu, Kaiama Baruten, Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, Oke Ero, Asa and even Ilorin, our cherished State capital, have been reduced to killing fields and displaced settlements. Yet we have a governor who chooses to spend most of his time in diaspora, especially at the FCT, hiding under the cover of the Governors’ forum chairman to abdicate his primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of our people who entrusted their mandate to him.

“It is sad that even with verified reports of abductions, killings, displacement, and total breakdown of rural economies in Guye Dadi, Guye Doko, Kpotunko, Bussa, Shaaban, Gamalegi, Gbugbu, Ekko, Edogi, and Bongifu, the Kwara State Government has failed to:

Visit the scenes,

Deploy meaningful aid,

Offer security reinforcements,

Or even address the media with a clear position or plan of action.

“We challenge Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to take a break from his cosmetic tours and endless celebrations of mediocrity, and face the hard reality that his government is losing the moral and constitutional right to lead when it fails to act in times of great human tragedy.”

The PDP, therefore, called on the people of Kwara, especially the good citizens of Edu and the entire Lafiagi Emirate and other affected communities, to take note of those who stand by them in times of need and those who vanish into the shadows when their leadership is most needed.

“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq must wake up to his responsibilities or forever be remembered as an absentee leader in a time of crisis”, the party submitted.

Signed:

Olusegun Olusola Adewara,
State Publicity Secretary,
Kwara PDP.