By Toyeeb Omotayo
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend further local government allocations to Kwara State until Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq conducts local government elections.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday, State Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olusola Adewara praised the Tinubu administration for initiating court proceedings to stop the disbursement of local government allocations to state governments.
The statement highlighted that since Governor AbdulRazaq dismissed the elected Local Government Councils in 2019, despite a court order, he has imposed Transition Implementation Committees (TIC) on the 16 Local Government Areas.
The PDP described this action as unfortunate, noting that despite citizens’ agitations, calls from the party, civil society organizations, and court orders, the governor has allowed the TIC to exceed the constitutional tenure of elected Council officers.
The TICs have been replaced with Local Government Development Officers, further prolonging the absence of duly elected local officials the PDP argued that a serious governor would not appoint another set of illegal agents to hold the Local Government Areas hostage indefinitely.
The party urged Kwarans not to be swayed by the recent announcement of election dates by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), describing it as a reactionary move driven by the fear of impending stoppage of LG allocations.
“The Kwara PDP, although prepared to participate in the elections if they eventually hold, does not have confidence in the vague social media statement by the Okanla-led KWASIEC.
“There is no convincing indication or preparation from KWASIEC suggesting AbdulRazaq is ready to conduct any council elections as announced.”
Furthermore, the Kwara PDP accused Governor AbdulRazaq of being an undemocratic leader lacking the moral charisma to preside over institutions such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The party urged other Nigerian governors to prevent AbdulRazaq from misusing the NGF for personal gain, arguing that challenging the federal government’s decision at the Supreme Court could undermine the forum’s integrity and alienate it from Nigerians who are clamoring for a more vibrant and autonomous local government system.
“Our party believes that if the present Nigerian Governors’ Forum has a human face, it should support efforts to make local governments serve their people efficiently and autonomously,” the statement concluded.
