The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq , has rejected calls by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over alleged links between government officials and criminal elements.
The governor, through his aides, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated, accusing the PDP of stoking tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the controversy stems from a viral video showing suspected bandits who were arrested in Auchi, Edo State.
In the video, the suspects reportedly claimed they were supplied with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded patrol van by some officials of the Kwara State Government.
Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin, PDP State Secretary, Abdulrahman Kayode, said the claims were“grave and disturbing,”insisting they demand immediate federal intervention.
“This matter, if left uninvestigated, has the potential to destroy public confidence in governance and worsen the already fragile security situation in Kwara,”Kayode warned.
He linked the video to recent spikes in deadly attacks across several local government areas in the state, naming Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun as flashpoints.
Kayode referenced the deadly attack on Oke-Ode in Ifelodun LGA on September 28, where over 15 people were reportedly killed.
According to him, a day before the attack, a government agent was alleged to have disarmed local hunters and vigilantes; actions he said were“deeply suspicious.”
He also raised concerns over the identity of an individual referred to as“Oga Victor”in the Edo State video, demanding that the governor come clean on the alleged distribution of government weapons and vehicles to non-state actors.
The PDP demanded an independent investigation by federal security agencies and called for a comprehensive audit of all government-branded patrol vehicles in the state.
Allegations are Cheap Politics – Kwara Govt
In a swift response, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef , dismissed the PDP’s call as “baseless” and a “desperate political tactic” by a party eyeing a comeback in 2027.
“It’s nothing but fake news being weaponised to incite fear and unrest,” Abdullateef stated, insisting the administration remains committed to public safety and transparency.
Also reacting, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, denied any wrongdoing by the government.
She said no armed bandits were arrested in Ifelodun or anywhere else in the state by the Nigerian Army or any other security agency, and emphasised that the state government does not possess the authority to issue AK-47s.
“The security of lives and property remains a top priority of this administration, and we have no connection with any criminal activity,” she assured.