The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the recent statements made by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi. Speaking on TVC, Fagbemi had lauded the performance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, which the PDP described as a transparent effort to polish Abdullah’s administration’s failings before the 2027 elections.
In a release from Ilorin on Friday, the PDP’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Bashir Ashura, expressed dismay that Fagbemi opted for propaganda when many Kwarans are suffering from insecurity, economic hardship, joblessness, poor healthcare, and a declining quality of life. The opposition party noted that before AbdulRazaq took office in 2019, Kwara was known as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states. Now, areas like Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, and Ifelodun are frequent targets for kidnappings and bandit attacks. Families can no longer sleep peacefully as they used to.
The PDP said labeling the security crisis as “artificial” is insensitive and disrespectful to the victims of violence. They added that the pain of those affected cannot be dismissed as mere election-season rhetoric. Furthermore, the party pointed out that Fagbemi boasted about governance achievements without addressing accountability. According to government records, Kwara’s IGR jumped from about ₦30.6 billion in 2019 to over ₦69 billion in 2024, while federal allocations also rose after fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate changes. Yet, ordinary Kwarans see no corresponding improvements in security, healthcare, education, job creation, or rural development.
The PDP argued that instead of being transparent about how public funds are used, the AbdulRazaq administration has shrouded itself in secrecy, intimidating journalists and social commentators who demand accountability. They dismissed Fagbemi’s claim that every ward in Kwara has a functional health center as a gross exaggeration, noting that rural health facilities are understaffed, poorly equipped, and unable to provide basic services. The party also rejected talk of a third-term agenda, stating that the effort to impose a successor stems from fear of accountability rather than genuine concern for the state’s future. Democracy requires leadership renewal, not political puppetry. As 2027 nears, Kwarans will judge the APC based on its record, not TV propaganda. The people’s verdict will reflect their lived experiences, and no amount of spin can change that reality. APC must go, the PDP concluded.