A prominent political figure from Kwara South, Chief Obanla, has declared solidarity with former Senate President Bukola Saraki, while criticizing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over what he described as misplaced priorities amid worsening insecurity in Kwara State.
In a strongly worded statement, Chief Obanla lamented the deteriorating security situation across several local governments, particularly in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero, where he said kidnappings, displacement of communities, closure of schools, markets and withdrawal of banking services have become major concerns.
He argued that while residents battle fear and uncertainty, the state government has chosen to focus on filing a 20-count criminal charge against Saraki over the 2018 Offa robbery incident. Recent reports indicate that the Kwara State Government has indeed filed charges against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and two others, with arraignment scheduled before the High Court in Ilorin.
Chief Obanla described the timing of the charges as troubling, insisting that governance should focus first on protecting lives and restoring peace to troubled communities.
“Governance is not a weapon. The security of our people should be the priority,” he said.
Governance is not a weapon. The security of our people should be the priority.
He noted that Saraki had served Kwara State as governor for eight years and later as Senate President, warning against what he termed the use of state institutions to settle political scores.
According to him, previous legal reviews by federal prosecutors had reportedly found no evidence linking Saraki to the Offa robbery matter, while the convicted suspects had already faced trial. Saraki has also publicly denied the allegations and described the renewed case as politically motivated.
Chief Obanla urged the AbdulRazaq administration to redirect its attention to the pressing challenges of insecurity, economic hardship and public confidence.
He said communities in Kwara South deserve urgent intervention, not distractions, adding that farmers must return safely to their lands, children must resume learning, and local commerce must be restored.
The statement ended with a declaration of support for Saraki, whom he said deserves fairness and justice, while calling on leaders across party lines to put Kwara first.
The latest remarks add a new political dimension to the unfolding Offa robbery case, which has continued to spark reactions across the state.
