Against the perceived injustice in the rotation of political power in Kwara State, a socio-political organisation, Kwara South Equity Advocates (K-SEA), has called for support for a Kwara North District Governor in 2027.
Speaking at the group's political summit in Ajase-Ipo town in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state on Friday, the Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, highlighted the apparent injustice and inequity associated with power sharing and governance in the state since 1999.
Speaking on the topic “A New Dawn in Kwara: Pursuit of Equity, Equity and Justice; Kwara South for Kwara North,” Lawal said the group is ready to contribute to the advancement of democratic governance and equitable development in Kwara State.
“Accepting that equity is everyone’s business, this forum would like you to remember and analyze the previous administrations we have had in Kwara State, especially in the recent past. Which of the previous administrations would you honestly say championed governance with respect to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging?
“Since the inception of the nascent democracy in 1999, with three regions in Kwara State: North, South and Kwara Central, we have not experienced equal distribution of power and inclusion and this has negatively affected our democracy.
“In what appears to be a polarization of democracy in our state, by 2027, Kwara Central would have ruled the state for 20 years, Kwara South for eight years, while Kwara North has never tasted leadership of the state. This is deepening the state of division and distrust that seems to permeate our society.
“What inspires hope in holding the bull by the horns in this fight is the fact that the government, administration and body language of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq express a determination to awaken and restore the citizens' dwindling confidence in the democratic institutions and the growing disregard for democratic norms and rules, which many political actors deliberately ignored,” he said.
The group therefore suggested that “it is time for power to shift to Kwara North or Kwara South in search of equity and moral truth because anxieties are growing about the future of democracy in Kwara State.”
He accused successive governments of insensitivity in the distribution/rotation of power in a multifaceted society, saying: “Successive administrations in Kwara State have either lacked the concept of power sharing and inclusion or have deliberately exercised actions to dislocate democracy in our peace-loving state. .
“Their lack of administrative foresight has also generated an ideological distancing from collective efforts to advance the State, has fueled public discontent, intolerance, discrimination and has diminished the trust of society,” he stated.
The guest lecturer, a Professor of Political Science at the Federal University of Lokoja, Kogi State, concurred with the group's position and criticized the experience that Kwara Central District would have governed for 20 years at the end of this administration.
He advised Kwara North to work towards a consensus candidate to facilitate entry into Government House in 2027.
“Politics is a numbers game; Let us all be prepared to see this project as a personal ambition so that there is a realistic ambition.”
Also speaking, the founder of Thomas Adewumi University, Engineer JBO Adewumi, represented by Professor Olusegun Elegbede, expressed his belief in equity and the governor.
Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Fagbemi, has urged Kwara residents to allow the governor to choose his successor.
Meanwhile, the second speaker, Dr. Olufemi Owolabi, declared his support for the essence of the group, which he described as the right move by patriots.
Representing the traditional rulers, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo kingdom, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, rallied support for the group.