Kwara 2027: Coalition Alleges AbdulRazaq Plotting ‘Third Term by Proxy’
0
0
Kwara 2027: Coalition Alleges AbdulRazaq Plotting ‘Third Term by Proxy’
By Kaosara Olayemi Oladimeji
A coalition of youths in Kwara State, under the aegis of the 52-Youth Coalition, has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of allegedly seeking to retain political control of the state beyond his tenure through what it described as a “third term by proxy” arrangement.
The coalition made the allegation while reacting to the emergence of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2027 election.
According to the group, the decision to field the serving Speaker was part of a broader succession plan allegedly designed to ensure that members of the political structure loyal to the governor retain control of the state after the expiration of his tenure.
The coalition further alleged that the arrangement involved other serving members of the House of Assembly, with some expected to occupy key executive and legislative positions if the APC retains power in the state.
READ ALSO: Troops rescue 22 kidnap victims, defuse 12 IEDs in Niger, Kwara
It described the development as unusual, arguing that the proposed transition would effectively place individuals who had operated within the same legislative structure under the AbdulRazaq administration in control of the executive and legislative arms of government.
The group said the issue was not merely about the choice of a candidate but about what it perceived as an attempt to preserve the existing political structure beyond 2027.
“The question is why a governor would want to hand over power to the same people who approved every kobo spent in the last seven years,” the coalition said, alleging that a successor from the same political structure could be less inclined to scrutinise the records of the outgoing administration.
The coalition listed the reconstruction of Kwara Hotel, government loans, internally generated revenue, school renovation projects, roads and other infrastructure projects among areas it said deserved greater public scrutiny.
It alleged that the state legislature had not subjected some of the government’s activities to sufficient scrutiny and argued that an independent successor could reopen some of the issues.
The group said the alleged arrangement amounted to an attempt to keep control of government decisions, records and political structures within the same circle after 2027.
The coalition also questioned the legislative record of Danladi-Salihu, who has served as Speaker of the state House of Assembly since 2019.
It alleged that the Assembly under his leadership had not produced enough landmark legislation capable of substantially transforming the lives of ordinary Kwarans.
The group cited youth employment, healthcare, education, small-business development and land administration among areas where it said more legislative intervention was required.
It also criticised the role of the House in exercising oversight over the executive, alleging that major government policies, expenditure and projects were not subjected to sufficient scrutiny.
The coalition said the emergence of Danladi-Salihu should therefore be examined against the background of the performance of the legislature under his leadership.
It also raised questions about the political future of other serving members of the Assembly whom it claimed were being considered for senior positions in the proposed succession arrangement.
The group particularly mentioned the lawmaker representing Balogun/Ojomu State Constituency, Seun Ogunniyi Adato, and questioned his record of constituency development.
The coalition alleged that despite his years in the House and his membership of key committees, including those responsible for power and health, his constituency had not received sufficient development interventions.
It argued that political office holders should be judged by measurable achievements rather than length of service or loyalty to the ruling party.
The group also questioned the broader principle of moving serving legislators directly into executive leadership, arguing that legislative experience should be accompanied by demonstrable capacity to manage the executive responsibilities of a state.
The coalition contrasted the APC’s political direction with that of the Peoples Democratic Party, which it said had presented candidates with backgrounds outside the legislature.
It identified Engr. Kale Kawu as the PDP governorship candidate and Rev. Fawenu as his running mate, describing the pair as individuals with private-sector and grassroots experience.
The coalition said the 2027 election would provide Kwarans with the opportunity to scrutinise the records and programmes of the competing candidates.
It maintained that the election should not be reduced to a contest between political structures but should focus on governance, accountability, economic development, employment, security and the welfare of residents.
The group further urged Kwarans to examine whether the continuation of the current political structure after 2027 would serve the interests of the state.
