By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Kwara state government has said that the former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki is the least qualified to speak on security matters in Kwara state because among others,under his political empire, Kwarans lived in fear of cult killings, kidnappings, and the notorious reign of terror unleashed by “Good Boys” and political thugs loyal to his dynasty.

Recall that Dr Bukola Saraki, weekend during the state Congress of PDP expressed anger by frequent reports of kidnapings and banditry in the state,and lashed out at Kwara state government, accusing it of incompetence and incapable of securing lives and properties of people of the state.

But,Bashir Adigun
the Special Adviser on Media to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his response made available to journalists on Monday said that the former governor Dr Bukola Saraki, should stop playing cheap politics with people’s lives because he has no moral rights to talk about security in the state in view of the legacies he left.

Adigun who noted that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has shown more commitment to securing the State than Saraki ever did in his years of political dominance, said it’s a display of shameful insensitivity that Saraki instead of offering condolences to the victims chose to play cheap politics with human lives.

He denied that Kwara state government is indifferent to the security challenges in the state which he described as a national scourge.

Adigun also noted that Dr Bukola Saraki knows the foundation problems of today’s problems of insecurity facing the country, stressing that Governor AbdulRazaq will never play politics with the lives and properties of residents of the state.

The statement reads in full:”
Our attention has been drawn to the latest outburst by Bukola Saraki, who shamelessly accused the Kwara State Government of nonchalance towards insecurity. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Saraki is the least qualified person to speak on security matters in Kwara State.

” Under his political empire, Kwarans lived in fear of cult killings, kidnappings, and the notorious reign of terror unleashed by “Good Boys” and political thugs loyal to his dynasty.”

It added that,”The bloody Offa bank robbery of 2018, which claimed dozens of innocent lives, was carried out by criminals with direct links to his political structure. That is the legacy he left behind.

“It is laughable that a man whose era institutionalized violence and thuggery now pretends to be a security advocate.”

It stated further that,”Instead of offering condolences to victims of criminal attacks, Saraki has chosen to play cheap politics with human lives — a shameful display of insensitivity.

“Must we remind him that insecurity today is a national scourge? Bandits fleeing military bombardments in the North West often spill into North Central states like Kwara.

“This is not peculiar to Kwara and certainly not a result of government indifference.

“If anything, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has shown more commitment to securing our State than Saraki ever did in his years of political dominance.”

Unlike Saraki,the statement added that,”Governor AbdulRazaq is not breeding thugs; he is equipping security agencies with patrol vehicles, gadgets, and logistics.

” He is empowering forest guards, vigilantes, and local hunters to defend our communities. He is working hand in hand with the Army, Police, Air Force, and Civil Defence to flush out criminals.

” Only recently, following the Governor’s advocacy, the Army Headquarters has directed the GOC Ibadan to relocate to Kwara to lead operations against the bandits.

“Equally important, the AbdulRazaq administration understands that development is the best antidote to insecurity. That is why schools, hospitals, roads, and water projects are springing up across the State.

“That is why thousands of youths have been employed and empowered. These are tangible results Kwarans can see and feel.Saraki should be the last to cry wolf. “the statement said.

It also recalled that,”His close ally, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, openly confessed in 2022 that the insecurity Nigeria battles today was worsened by foreign militias imported into the country for elections in 2015 by Saraki’s political camp.

“Today, those same foreigners are terrorizing Nigerians. This is the dirty foundation of the problem, and Saraki knows it.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will never play politics with the lives of Kwarans.

“He will continue to stand with our people, work with security agencies, and invest in the future of our State. Saraki’s attempt to rewrite history and feign concern is nothing but a failed propaganda stunt.
Kwarans know better.” concluded the statement.