By: Karatu I. Y.
In Plato’s Republic, the ideal ruler is described as a philosopher-king, one who governs not out of self-interest but with wisdom and a commitment to justice for the greater good. Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, CON, embodies this archetype in modern governance. His leadership of Kwara State has been a practical demonstration of service-driven governance, where every policy and action is designed to uplift the lives of the people. Yet, as Socrates himself was no stranger to criticism from those who misunderstood his motives, so too has Governor Abdulrazaq been unfairly maligned by those who seek to diminish his achievements.
The governor’s critics, like the cynics in Hobbesian thought, view the state through a lens of chaos and competition, refusing to acknowledge the transformation that has taken place under his administration. However, the evidence of progress is irrefutable. Kwara State, once plagued by infrastructural decay and institutional neglect, is being rebuilt on a foundation of equity, transparency, and accountability. Governor Abdulrazaq’s investments in education, healthcare, and economic development are a testament to his belief in John Locke’s principle that government exists to preserve the life, liberty, and property of its citizens.
Education, as posited by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is the bedrock of a just society. Under Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership, this sector has seen a renaissance. Schools that were once symbols of neglect have been revitalised, providing children with an environment conducive to learning and growth. This aligns with Paulo Freire’s assertion in Pedagogy of the Oppressed that education is a tool for liberation and empowerment. By prioritising the education of Kwara’s youth, the governor is planting seeds for a future where knowledge becomes the currency of development.
Healthcare, another cornerstone of the social contract, has also received significant attention. Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration has improved healthcare infrastructure and expanded access to quality services, fulfilling the utilitarian ideal championed by John Stuart Mill: the greatest good for the greatest number. In prioritising the well-being of the people, the governor has demonstrated that governance is not merely about wielding power but about serving humanity with empathy and purpose.
The economic policies of this administration are grounded in Adam Smith’s principles of creating conditions for wealth generation and prosperity. By fostering an enabling environment for businesses, supporting agriculture, and empowering small and medium enterprises, the governor has revitalised the state’s economy. These efforts, much like Amartya Sen’s Development as Freedom, recognise that true development is about expanding people’s capabilities and choices, enabling them to live the lives they value.
The opposition’s criticism of Governor Abdulrazaq, however, reveals more about their motives than it does about his leadership. Friedrich Nietzsche observed that “those who cannot lead will often disparage those who can.” It is a mark of effective leadership to encounter resistance, for progress is often met with opposition from those who benefit from the status quo. Governor Abdulrazaq’s response to such criticism has been to remain focused on his vision for Kwara, an approach reminiscent of Marcus Aurelius’s stoic wisdom: “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”
To the good people of Kwara State, it is vital to recognise the unprecedented strides being made under this administration. Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership is restoring the dignity of our state, much like the restoration of a masterpiece long buried beneath layers of neglect. His efforts echo the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
As citizens, we must look beyond the cacophony of criticism and see the tangible results of Governor Abdulrazaq’s governance. The roads being constructed, the schools being rebuilt, the jobs being created, and the lives being transformed are not abstract promises but concrete realities. Kwara is on a journey to becoming a model state, and this progress must be safeguarded and celebrated.
History will remember Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as a leader who dared to dream big and work tirelessly to make those dreams a reality. Like the philosopher-kings of old, his governance is guided by reason, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Let us rally together as a united people, determined to support this administration in building a Kwara State that we can all be proud of—a state where progress is not a mere aspiration but a living, breathing reality.
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