Kwarans have rejected Abdulrazaq and his party; no amount of denial can erase it
By
Almajiri Umar Farouq Idris
I had no intention of commenting on the shame that took place in Kwara State last weekend during the local government elections. It was beneath contempt. Since I subscribe, at times, to the saying: “silence is the best answer to a fool,” I decided to ignore the scandalous incident where a sitting Governor, in broad daylight, oversaw the rigging of an election and thwarted the will of the people. But my stance changed when I read the disgraceful denial from the Kwara State Government, claiming victory in an election marred by clear evidence of fraud and manipulation, seen and documented by thousands of shocked Kwarans. Since last Saturday, pictures and videos that documented the irregularities that marred the election have surfaced online, showing who actually won the election.
It is bad enough that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC would go to such lengths to take power, robbing the people of Kwara of their legitimate right to choose their leaders. But to deny these actions, instead of acknowledging them and addressing the people’s outcry, is not only shameful but provocative. The citizens of Kwara made their voices heard, rejecting a party that has failed them time and again, yet Abdulrahman had the audacity to hand over a false mandate to his party members. He may have rigged the election for them , but they will never have the goodwill of the people.
This is a collective assault on all citizens of Kwara State and the man at the center of this scandal, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, like his colleague governors, prefixes his name with “His Excellency.” When one is referred to as excellent, one deserves some respect. I would have started by pointing out that Governor Abdulrahman neither deserves to be addressed as His Excellency nor as a State Governor with the conduct of his party members who oversaw the council elections last weekend. He neither has the carriage nor the honour to be so addressed.
Our expectations over him since he was ushered in for a second term was to perform from average to above average. But he has performed terribly; been carried away by power, and become power-drunk. He has lost respect for everyone, including traditional rulers, elders, and the ordinary citizens he swore to serve. His disregard for the people’s will, coupled with his administration’s failure, makes it clear that he lacks the qualities required to lead a state.
Nothing confirms Abdulrahman’s membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, more than his disgraceful manipulation of the electoral process last weekend. On that day, he disrespected the people of Kwara, ignored their calls for a change, and played god by imposing his stooges on them as he has done since 2019. He stripped the people of their dignity and reduced their voices to whispers, believing that his power could silence them. Abdulrahman and his men forget that there will be a tomorrow when they will not be in office “till thy kingdom come.” That is the only reason they commit such acts of political robbery.
In more civilized countries, Governor Abdulrahman and his stooges’ political career would have ended with such an incident. The havoc caused by his administration’s reckless spending, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the neglect of the people’s welfare remain glaring. He may hold onto power through these illegitimate means, but he can never enjoy the respect or the support of the people.
As for the Kwara State Government’s attempt to discredit Senator Bukola Saraki, their claims lack substance and are nothing more than a diversion from their own failures. Saraki’s record as Governor of Kwara and as Senate President speaks for itself. During his administration, he laid the foundation for the development that Kwara enjoys today. Infrastructural development, healthcare initiatives, workers’ welfare and a focus on education were the hallmarks of his time in office. The accusation of using thugs, failing to pay salaries, and acquiring public properties are recycled rhetoric meant to distract from the fact that under Saraki’s leadership, Kwara was a state to be admired. Saraki has consistently been cleared of corruption charges, winning multiple court cases, proving that these are politically-motivated attacks. Unlike Abdulrahman, who has dragged Kwara backward, Saraki has always prioritized the welfare of the people and left a legacy of service and development. The government’s accusations hold no water and are nothing but a smear campaign aimed at covering their own inadequacies.
Governor Abdulrahman and the APC must understand one thing: rigging an election does not equate to winning the people’s hearts. The citizens of Kwara have spoken—they have rejected this government and its failures. No amount of manipulation can change that truth. The APC’s chairmen and councillors may sit in the Local Governments chairs, but they do so without the mandate of the people. Kwarans will remember this daylight robbery, and history will not be kind to them or their illegitimate administration.
