Fellow Kwarans, I must confess that I was disheartened and troubled yesterday when I learned that Offa had cancelled the intended debate for candidates vying for chairmanship and Councilorship positions ahead of next week’s Kwara Local Government Elections. If the debate had taken place, it would have provided an enabling environment for Kwara citizens, particularly Offa indigenes, to engage the candidates on their plans and commitments.
It would have also served as a vital avenue for citizen engagement, allowing the community to hold candidates accountable for their promises. Unfortunately, the debate’s cancellation has left me feel sober and unhappy. Nevertheless, I still believe that Offa deserves commendation for initially conceiving the idea, and I hope they will reconsider hosting the debate in the future.
I, alongside millions of Nigerians home and away, would have witnessed a fierce, brilliant and elegant display of not just oratorical rhetorics but genuine conversations around the tripartite yesterday, today and tomorrow of Offa Local Government. However, we moooove!
Alas, as an undergraduate, I had the privilege of living in Offa, where I witnessed firsthand the community’s strong aversion to injustice and cheating. My personal experience with a lecturer who perpetuated injustice and my subsequent fight for justice, although unsuccessful in my academic pursuits, has instilled in me a deep appreciation for Offa’s values.
I must commend Offa for initially conceived the innovative approach, showcasing their renowned wisdom and development-driven mindset. Their commitment to ensuring that only capable leaders serve the interest of the people is truly admirable. Unfortunately, the previous TIC chairman, one of the illegal caretaker Chairmen appointed by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, failed to serve the people’s interest, as evident from his unceremonious departure from office inundated with a viral video on social media recently.
Whoever emerges as the Chairman of Offa LGA will understand that it’s no longer a business as usual despite the fact that the debate didn’t hold. They will be expected to prioritize the welfare of citizens, unlike the past where LGAs have failed to recruit staff, provide an enabling environment for farmers to ensure food sufficiency, and engage vigilante groups for security, as seen in Baruten and Kaiama LGAs. It’s been a while since Kwara LGAs effectively delivered on their constitutional rights.
One can’t help but wonder at the unprecedented development Offa Local Government has witnessed, thanks to the unwavering willingness and patriotism of its citizens towards their local government and community. After Ilorin, the state capital, Offa stands out as the next most developed LGA in Kwara State. The citizens have facilitated every aspect of development in Offa, making local government development their top priority. They take it very seriously and won’t settle for anything less. This is why they’re keen on electing a capable chairman for Offa LGA, rather than a pushover. The debate organized for this purpose is a commendable initiative that should be emulated by all Local Government Areas in kwara state.
Mark my words, ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections in Kwara State, the ruling party, APC, may struggle to win in Offa and Ilorin West LGAs. The people of Offa are prepared for the election, and no thanks to the internal party crises among APC stakeholders in Offa as it may hinder their chances. If they fail to resolve their issues before the election, the opposition will likely capitalize on this and secure victory. Any attempt to deny the winners their rightful mandate may lead to widespread protests in Offa.
Furthermore, Comrade Esinrogunjo may receive sympathy votes in Ilorin West due to the lingering discontent among APC members regarding the emergence of Ladan as the party’s chairmanship candidate. The prevailing hunger and hardship in Ilorin West, coupled with public opinion, will make it challenging for APC to secure victory. If the winners are denied or not declared, it may lead to massive protests and another ‘Otoge’ movement may emerge from Ilorin West and Offa LGAs
As Nigeria still grapples with the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests, any further attempts to spark demonstrations during this volatile period could potentially ignite a crisis. The current climate is highly charged, with citizens simmering in anger. In light of this, I believe the governor will exercise extreme caution to avoid exacerbating the situation, opting instead for diplomacy and restraint to prevent escalating tensions.
APC is poised to win overwhelmingly in other Local Government Areas (LGAs), leaving the opposition with little chance of victory. However, it’s unlikely that the APC will sweep all the councilor’s seats, as the opposition will likely secure some wins in certain LGAs where the APC’s victory is guaranteed.
A friend recently engaged me in a discussion, expressing doubts about Femi Yusuf’s chances of winning in Ifelodun LGA due to APC internal crises in Ifelodun. I confidently assured him that Femi Yusuf, a grassroots politician, would win convincingly, regardless of any opposition. My personal relationship with Femi Yusuf has shown me his ability to connect with people across political affiliations. As I stated in my congratulatory article, I will be the first to hold him accountable if he mismanages Ifelodun’s funds. Femi Yusuf is aware of my unwavering stance, and I am confident he will excel in his role.
You may accuse me of being biased towards Femi Yusuf, and I accept that perception. However, I can confidently assert that he is a dedicated and loyal party member, possessing a deep understanding of Ifelodun politics. His unique ability to connect with people across political affiliations, fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity, sets him apart. This exceptional quality, combined with his political acumen, makes him an outstanding candidate for the position.May God Almighty guide him and spare our life beyond.
Many Kwarans are anxious about the potential rigging of the local government election, as KWSIEC Chairman, Baba Okanla, has not directly addressed the people of Kwara on local radio stations, instead opting for press conferences with journalists. However, I’d like to reveal a lesser-known fact about Baba Okanla: not many people know that he worked closely with the Late Justice Muhammed Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi SAN for many years, who even took him along to wherever his going including Ghana. We all know how credible late justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi SAN was, he served the country diligently as the pioneer chairman of ICPC, turning down a second term offered by ex-President Obasanjo if am not mistakenly,This speaks volumes about his integrity.
Similarly, Baba Okanla doesn’t compromise and is known for his intelligence and reserved nature . After my article, title My’One Kobo Advice’ for Baba Okanla, where I urged him to ensure a fair election, I discovered more about his character. While I didn’t say the election would be 100% perfect, I believe Baba Okanla may surprise many Kwarans with the conduct of the election, which will be credible based on available facts, only time will tell.
This local government election will be significantly influenced by the hardship inflicted on citizens by both the federal and state governments. The suffering will impact voting patterns, likely working against the ruling party, APC. Some people believe that the governor plans to release funds to alleviate the hardship inflicted by the APC, just two days before the election, in an attempt to sway voters. However, I doubt that this tactic will have any significant influence, despite the fact that our people can easily be swayed by money. The recent protests by tricle drivers and okada riders, which occurred spontaneously without any leader, demonstrate that they have been pushed to the wall due to hardship. This sentiment will undoubtedly affect the APC as the ruling party, serving as a litmus test for both the state and federal governments to recognize that citizens are dissatisfied with their policies. May God spare our lives to witness the outcome.
The Supreme Court judgment has set a precedent, and with the ICPC and EFCC warning against diversion of LGA funds, Nigeria is poised to see a deterrent that will serve as an example for others. My organization has written to anti-corruption agencies, expressing our readiness to collaborate and sensitize Kwarans on how to track funds allocated to LGAs and petition anti-corruption agencies on any diversion of public funds. We are also demanding that anti-corruption agencies request all LGA chairmen to submit their payment vouchers, overhead figures, and salaries payment to account for how they spend allocations.
Thus,Ekiti LGA’s debate, organized by Ekiti Youth Navigator, is equally commendable, despite only the People’s Democratic Party (PDP ) attended. I had the pleasure of engaging with the youth group on our program last Sunday, where they shared their motivations and plans for Ekiti citizens. Their unwavering commitment to tackling the pressing issues plaguing Ekiti LGA was evident on our program, which highlighted several challenges, including:
Infrastructure deficit, lack of conducive classrooms for teachers and student,absence of a CBT center for Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) students seeking admission into Nigerian institution and Insecurity issues affecting the local government, exemplified by the recent tragic murder of Oba of Koro, a retired Military General, which left everyone saddened and eager to prevent such incidents from recurring.
My last interaction with the Oba was during our visit to the village while assessing the pressing needs of all 193 wards in Kwara State. I vividly recall his words: despite the village’s small size, his vision is to drive its development. He shared that after retiring from the military, he could have chosen to live abroad but opted to stay, inspired by his late father’s wisdom. He believed that if he abandoned his ancestral home, who would then work towards its development? This conversation showcased his profound love for his community and his selfless commitment to its growth. Such a patriotic individual deserves our admiration, not a tragic end like the one he met. We must commend the security personnel for apprehending the perpetrators and pray that this senseless incident is never repeated.
I was deeply impressed by the Ekiti Youth Navigator’s promise to address these challenges head-on, one by one, during our program last Sunday. This serves as a wake-up call for Kwaran youth and other LGAs, emphasizing that a functional local government that works for all can only be achieved through citizens’ dedication and collective effort.
God bless Kwara State.
Comrade Mashood Lanrey Osho is a Human Right Activist, Anti-corruption Crusader, Author’s and Public Policy Analyst.
14th of September,2024.
