By: AbdulHafeez Oyewole
The Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) on Monday faulted the quality of political representation the senatorial district has received since 1999, describing it as “weak and ineffective” despite the region producing five senators and several members of the House of Representatives.
The group made its position known at a strategic consultation forum of Kwara South leaders tagged “Reawakening the Giants,” held in Ilorin.
Convener of the forum, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, lamented that successive federal lawmakers from the district had failed to attract tangible benefits to their people despite steady increases in the national budget.
“I will be speaking the mind of the majority here today: the political representation of Kwara South since 1999 is weak and not effective. We have had five Senators and several members of the House of Representatives, with some chairing key committees, but there is nothing tangible to show,” Adewumi said.
He also expressed concern over insecurity in the area, noting that at least seven vigilante members had lost their lives in recent clashes with criminal elements.
Adewumi called for greater investment in agriculture to harness vast arable lands, while urging stakeholders to support only credible candidates as the 2027 elections approach.
“Our demography is changing from Yoruba to Fulani/Hausa, with grave consequences. We must not allow moneybags to buy our votes. What we need are leaders with character, competence and vision,” he added.
The forum also praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for efforts to tackle insecurity, stressing that communities themselves must take ownership of local security initiatives.
Representing the governor, Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Adebukola Babalola, highlighted ongoing projects in Kwara South, including 63 kilometres of completed roads and another 409 kilometres under construction.
She assured that the state government would “spare no rod” in the fight against banditry.
The Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, HRH Oba Ismail Mohammed Atoloye Alebiosu, who spoke on behalf of the Igbomina/Ekiti traditional rulers, emphasized the need for collective action in the face of security threats.
“From our end as traditional leaders, we have pooled our meagre resources together to tackle insecurity in our communities. None of us is happy with the situation. As 2027 approaches, let us be fair to ourselves and to the generation unborn,” he urged.
Oba Alebiosu reminded politicians of the need to respect the traditional institution.
“No matter how big or mighty you are, we remain your fathers. Candidates must consult with royal fathers who should be seen as custodians of the people. Let us support credible candidates and avoid turning elections into do-or-die affairs.”
Also speaking, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi, assured the gathering that Governor AbdulRazaq would not impose candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Wherever our lapses are, we are sorry. But I want to assure you that Governor AbdulRazaq will not impose anyone on the people. No one without good intentions for the state will be forced on you,” Fagbemi said.
He called on aspirants to approach the contest with sincerity, urging the electorate to resist inducement.
“The time has come for us to use our heads. Any aspirant who tries to buy our conscience must be rejected. Let them tell us their plans, and let our conscience guide us,” he advised.
Other speakers, including the Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode; Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Prof. Wale Sulaiman; President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Elder J. Y. Jimoh; and Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun of TETFund, all harped on unity and collective action to reposition Kwara South.
Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, pledged the Assembly’s cooperation with the governor in delivering projects to the senatorial district.
Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, urged unity among Kwara South indigenes at home and abroad, pledging personal support for the initiative.
President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Elder J. Y. Jimoh, identified internal wrangling among Igbomina sons and daughters as a major obstacle to development. He called for a revival of cooperative societies across all seven local government areas in the district.
Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees representing the North Central, encouraged the diaspora community to support development efforts back home. He commended Governor AbdulRazaq for infrastructural projects in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Speakers unanimously agreed that Kwara South, which comprises Ibolo, Ekiti, and Igbomina groups spread across seven local governments, must present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
The forum resolved to mobilize stakeholders to select credible candidates with proven track records, while rejecting money-driven politics.
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