PDP BLASTS GOVERNOR ABDULRASAQ’S MANGO TREE SECURITY MEETING AS INSULT TO VICTIMS OF INSECURITY, CAUTIONS SECURITY AGENCIES AGAINST SENSATIONAL PRESS RELEASES AIMED AT HIDING KWARA’S GRAVE SITUATION

By Olayiwola Ibrahim / Lagos // The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s recent so-called strategic security meeting in Kwara South as a wicked mockery of the traumatized people of Babanla, Gamu Ahileri, and other communities affected by the unchecked escalating insecurity across the state.

The PDP in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said a meeting held under a mango tree with some members of the APC and their security orderlies was not a befitting response to the horrible deterioration of security in the state, particularly in Ifelodun local government area of the state.

According to the party, what has been happening in communities within Ifelodun LG in recent weeks, particularly the tragic incident in Babanla on Friday, where over 100 armed bandits invaded the community market to loot foodstuffs, kill, and abduct residents including security officers, is both unfortunate and deeply disturbing.

The party described the sad incident as a glaring failure of leadership, noting that such tragedies should have no place in a state with a sitting governor.

It also expressed dismay that since the attack occurred, the governor, who is the chief security officer of the state, has not visited Babanla to personally assess the situation, condole with families of the victims, or engage directly with the affected community.

Instead of visiting the community, the governor chose to attend a symbolic gathering in Omu-Aran in another local government area, which his aides called a Strategic Kwara South Security Meeting.

What exactly was strategic about the meeting? the party queried.

The Kwara PDP stressed that the governor’s so-called strategic meeting was nothing more than a poorly stage-managed photo session that failed to address the escalating insecurity in Babanla, Gaamu Ahileri, and neighbouring communities in Ifelodun LG.

How can Governor Abdulrahman be holding security meetings under a mango tree and in the absence of key stakeholders? Chairmen of concerned local governments or their representatives were not in attendance?

Traditional leaders, religious leaders, and vigilante groups are not in attendance what sort of strategic security meetings are held with just APC members and the Governor’s orderlies paraded as the security chief?

The PDP alleged that Governor Abdulrahman rejected suggestions to visit Babanla and neighbouring communities on the grounds that they were too far and that the roads leading to the area were in a deplorable condition.

If it was during an election period, would he not have gone there to solicit votes? It shows the governor has no regard for the people who voted him into office” the statement asked.

Continuing, the PDP also condemned the conduct of several local government chairmen who reside in Ilorin, the state capital instead of living and working in their respective council areas, where they are expected to provide leadership, adding that the council chairmen had turned themselves to Governor Abdulrahman who governs the state from Abuja.

The party asked the chairmen to immediately relocate to their respective local government headquarters or should tender their resignation if they choose to reside in Ilorin.

For instance, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, where Babanla is located, Mr. Femi Yusuf, does not reside in his local government but in Ilorin, abandoning his people to their fate amid worsening insecurity.

The same situation applies to the chairmen of Moro, Patigi, Edu, Kaiama, and others,” the statement read.

Finally, the Kwara PDP calls on security agencies in the state not to reduce themselves to political tools by issuing partisan press statements that deny the grave security situation or attempt to portray Kwara as peaceful when, in reality, the state is under siege from criminal bandits and kidnappers, who have grown emboldened by the governor’s irresponsible silence and absentee leadership.

These criminals now operate in broad daylight without hindrance from security agencies.

We call on the heads of security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army and the State Police Command, not to allow Governor AbdulRahman to drag them into dangerous politics at the expense of people’s lives.

Issuing press statements to dismiss the obvious insecurity ravaging the state is an act of institutional corruption that must not continue, the statement added.