The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly criticized Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for allegedly spending over N2 billion on foreign trips in just nine months, accusing him of wasting taxpayers’ money on fruitless junkets that have not benefited the state in any significant way.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olushola, condemned the governor’s frequent international travels, calling them an irresponsible use of public funds at a time when a majority of the state’s residents are facing severe economic hardships.
The PDP accused Governor Abdulrazaq of spending more than N5 billion on foreign trips over the past two years, with little to show for it. “It is unacceptable for a governor, especially in a state with an alarming poverty rate of 48% and where civil servants earn as little as ₦75,000 per month, to squander billions of naira on unnecessary foreign travels,” said Olushola.
Highlighting the dire economic situation in the state, Olushola pointed out that many civil servants are struggling with meager salaries under the state’s 419-minimum wage arrangement, which he described as the lowest in the North-Central region.
“At a time when Kwara’s hospitals are facing a shortage of medical personnel and deteriorating infrastructure, educational facilities are in disrepair, and insecurity continues to threaten the local economy, the governor has chosen to waste public funds on foreign trips,” Olushola added.
The PDP further lamented that despite his frequent travel abroad, Governor Abdulrazaq has failed to attract any foreign investment to the state, as confirmed by a recent report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
The party questioned the rationale behind these trips, particularly given that no tangible results, such as investments or economic benefits, have been recorded from the governor’s travels.
The opposition party also accused the governor of undermining the informal sector, which it described as the backbone of Kwara’s economy. It alleged that Abdulrazaq’s urban renewal program has led to the destruction of local businesses, further exacerbating the state’s economic challenges.
The statement continued to criticize the governor’s focus on personal luxury over the welfare of the people, calling it “disheartening” that he had neglected crucial sectors like health, education, rural infrastructure, and security.
The PDP demanded that Governor Abdulrazaq prioritize the welfare of Kwarans instead of funding “personal adventures” abroad.
In addition to the travel expenditure, the PDP also called attention to other unresolved financial concerns in the state. Among these, they mentioned the whereabouts of the reported N10 billion allegedly deposited in an unknown bank account since 2019, as well as the justification for a staggering N17.8 billion invested in the renovation of a hotel.
“We urge anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to closely monitor the reckless expenditure of Kwara’s resources under Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership and ensure that public funds are used judiciously in the interest of the people,” Olushola stated.
The PDP closed its statement by calling on the people of Kwara to hold Governor Abdulrazaq accountable for his actions.
“The people of Kwara deserve a government that listens, cares, and works for the betterment of all, not one that prioritizes personal luxury over the well-being of its citizens,” the statement concluded.