Bukola Saraki Blasts Kwara Government Over Rising Insecurity

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has accused the Kwara State government of complacency in addressing the worsening insecurity confronting residents across the state.

Speaking in Ilorin at the weekend during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress, Saraki described the spate of killings, kidnappings, and displacement of communities as unprecedented in Kwara’s history.

“In the last 12 months, about 70 people have reportedly been killed in Kwara North and South, while about 50 others sustained varying injuries. Within the same period, about 42 people have been kidnapped, and over 25 communities have been deserted as residents fled their homes,” he said.

Saraki lamented that insecurity is forcing residents of northern and southern senatorial zones to relocate to Ilorin for safety. “Under the present government, Kwara State is becoming a one-town state as people… converge on Ilorin to escape becoming the next victims,” he added.

The former governor faulted the administration for “living in denial” and downplaying the severity of the crisis. “They focus on accusing the opposition, which has been alerting the Federal Government and security agencies of the danger that now lurks in our communities, of playing politics with security,” he noted.

He further charged that: “Our state is being overrun by bandits, kidnappers, and killers… Yet, the government in Kwara State has maintained a posture of apathy, nonchalance, and a carefree attitude. Every day, the story from Kwara State in the national media is about killings, kidnappings, and the displacement of people.”

Saraki accused the government of breaching Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places security and welfare as the primary duty of government. He stressed: “No responsible citizen or party will play politics with the danger to the lives and livelihood of people. We will continue to alert the national and international communities about the danger that daily confronts our people.”

On party matters, Saraki commended the new PDP state executive led by Hon. Adamu Bawa, describing their emergence as a product of unity and discipline. He also applauded the outgoing executive under Hon. Babatunde Mohammed for their contributions.

At the congress, Alhaji Adamu Bawa Issa from Kaiama was elected chairman with 1,498 votes out of 1,572 accredited delegates. Other newly elected officers include Mrs. Wasilat Atinuke Macarthy (Deputy Chair, Offa), Mallam Abdullahi AbdulRahman (Secretary, Ilorin West), Rev. C.O.S. Fawenu (Treasurer, Ifelodun), and Hon. Umar Shero (Financial Secretary, Baruten). Olusegun Olushola Samuel (Isin) retained his position as Publicity Secretary, while Barr. Monsurat Omotosho emerged as Legal Adviser and Imam Musa Bashir (Mooro) as Auditor, among others.