By Olaide Ahli
Who failed Kwara? This question often echoes in my mind whenever discussions arise about governance in Kwara State. For years, Kwarans have been promised progress, yet many have seen little beyond empty rhetoric and fleeting spectacles.
The past, clouded in nostalgia and denial, raises deeper questions: Was it sheer incompetence, deliberate neglect, or something more systemic? As the truth unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that Kwara’s true potential was stifled by those entrusted with its future.
It is time we asked—who is truly to blame for Kwara’s stunted growth, and how much longer will we allow the lies of the past to obscure the facts of today?
In recent days, a wave of opinion articles has emerged—authored by loyalists of past administrations like Boda Lati—aimed at painting a picture of Kwara as a state drowning in misgovernance and insecurity.
Their goal appears clear: to rewrite history, revive expired narratives, and distract Kwarans from the undeniable progress made under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
This approach is not only ironic—it is disingenuous. Many of those criticizing the current administration were themselves complicit in the long years of infrastructural decay, educational decline, and disconnected leadership. These individuals had over sixteen uninterrupted years to transform Kwara, yet they left the state trailing behind others in virtually every key development area.
Now, after the resounding success of the O To Ge movement and the people’s reaffirmation of their choice in the 2023 elections, the bitterness of defeat still reverberates among those who once enriched themselves on public resources. Their attempts to rewrite history must be exposed for what they are: distractions.
Let’s be clear—constructive opposition is healthy for democracy. However, it is not about flooding the media with countless articles filled with half-truths and negativity. True opposition is about offering viable alternatives and engaging in fact-based conversations.
If Boda Lati and his co-authors have ideas that can genuinely improve the lives of Kwarans, Governor AbdulRahman remains open to dialogue. But what must no longer be tolerated is the weaponization of the pen to distract from the real and measurable progress being made.
Despite the propaganda, Kwara is not in darkness. In fact, it has never been more visible on the national stage.
Under Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership, the state has recorded significant progress in health, education, youth empowerment, digital technology, sports, and civil service reform.
Our primary schools are no longer in disrepair. Health workers no longer suffer months of unpaid salaries. And the youth now have access to opportunities once unimaginable.
On the issue of security—while national challenges persist—Kwara has not stood idle. The administration has provided vehicles and equipment to security agencies, strengthened local vigilante groups, and continues to collaborate with federal authorities to ensure safety. While Boda Lati may highlight isolated incidents, he ignores the broader efforts being made. What about the peace in places like Share, Jebba, Omu-Aran, and Patigi?
The criticism of infrastructure projects, particularly the flyovers, also warrants clarification. Infrastructure is not about political showmanship; it is about solving real problems.
The Tanke and Unity flyovers were not random decisions—they were designed based on urban traffic data. Every part of Ilorin and indeed Kwara deserves development, and this government is working within available resources to make that happen. To reduce such projects to mere “beauty contests” is to misunderstand strategic urban planning.
When it comes to governance, Governor AbdulRazaq has shown a commitment to fiscal discipline. He has cleared the backlog of salaries and pensions, restored the dignity of the civil service, and attracted investments previously unimaginable. No wonder those who once turned public ministries into private family estates now find such transparency uncomfortable.
Furthermore, the attempt to drag the governor into unnecessary political conflicts—such as with Senator Saliu Mustapha—is nothing more than a diversion. Governor AbdulRazaq is focused on delivering results and has consistently welcomed development partnerships across party lines. However, such partnerships must be grounded in mutual respect and institutional frameworks—not in backdoor negotiations.
To be clear, no government is perfect. But to suggest, as Boda Lati does, that Kwara is in freefall is an insult to the intelligence of Kwarans who have experienced tangible improvements and have shown continued support for this people-focused administration.
The era of entitlement to political office is over. The 2027 elections will not be decided by social media noise or sponsored articles. They will be decided by results—visible in our schools, hospitals, roads, farms, and youth programs. And on these fronts, Kwara is moving forward, not backward.
In conclusion, opposition should serve as a tool for constructive engagement, not a means of distraction. Until Boda Lati and others rise above the nostalgia of lost privilege and contribute meaningfully to nation-building, their criticisms will remain nothing but echoes of a rejected past.
Kwara has moved on. No number of misleading articles will drag it back into darkness.
Olaide Ahli writes from Ilorin, Kwara State.