The All Progressives Congress, or APC, governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has declared that his party will maintain power in the state through the 2023 elections because "Kwarans cannot return to the dark years of the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, 20-year dominance."
The governor, who said that PDP's rule brought about a complete breakdown of governance in the state, boasted that the Otoge administration had left its positive marks in every corner of Kwara State by now and that there had been tremendous advancement in all areas between 2019 and now.
In an interview with journalists in Lagos, the governor claimed that because of his significant investments in water infrastructure, workers' welfare, rural-urban development, healthcare, and education, there is a significant difference between the conditions he encountered and those that exist today.
The Governor noted that by collaborating with development partners who had previously abandoned the state due to a lack of support, the administration has made significant progress. She also noted that the government now collaborates with SightSavers International to improve eye care services in the state.
The governor said that his government had left its mark in every ward in the state and disputed the notion that commissioning projects was a good indicator of progress or effectiveness.
Beyond this, we have many continuing initiatives that have been created to strengthen the economic foundation of the state, he said, listing a number of the administration's completed projects in the state's roads, water, health, and education. In addition to the international conference centre, we have a visual arts centre, a film studio, a clothing manufacturer, and an innovation hub. We will also finish a number of other significant projects this year, including the Tunde Idiagbon Bridge, the Adeta-Yebumot Road, the Osi-Obbo Road, and the largest eight-winged squash court in the nation.
When asked to comment on the discord among the former Otoge allies, AbdulRazaq said it was primarily about political ambitions and interests, which he claimed were acceptable in a democracy and had nothing to do with how well the government was performing or providing services to the vast majority of the population.
“Whether in water, rural development, basic education or healthcare, or workers’ welfare, we have clearly delivered on our mandate and we continue to do more,” he said.
The Governor also spoke on the future of the capital city Ilorin, which he said has been taken care of with the Ilorin City Master Plan — the second of its kind since Kwara became a state in 1967.
“Most of the growth we have now is unplanned and that is why you have flooding, poor ventilation and lack of green space, among others. The first and only plan of the city was done between 1967 and 1970s. It expired many decades ago without replacement. We have come up with a new one; we are also in the process of designing for the Offa-Oyun axis, Igbomina, Patigi/Edu and Baruten axis of the state,” the Governor said.