…Abdulrazaq ‘dissolves’ appointees one week to ceremony
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Barely a week to the inauguration of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as the Governor of Kwara State, it appears all is not well within the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure following the crisis that rocked the committee set- up by the Governor-elect for the event.
It was gathered that Abdulrazaq subsequent upon the crisis dissolved the committee over allegation of widespread exploitation and favouritism by some of its members.
Among the complaints, this medium learnt, last night, include the sale of unauthorised clothes and souvenirs to make brisk business by committee members.
The Governor-elect had inaugurated the Senator Suleiman Ajadi-led committee last week to make preparations towards success of the inauguration to be held next Wednesday in the state.
Ajadi, later announced a low-key inauguration ceremony, in a statement saying the austere programme was to reflect the lean purse of Kwara State, especially because some events commemorating Democracy Day would hold barely two weeks later on June 12 in line with the Federal Government’s directive.
But multiple sources within the party told this reporter that contrary to the narrative of low-key celebration, members of the committee have been accused of using the opportunity to promote family and friendship ties at the detriment of the targeted goal by the Governor-elect.
A top party chieftain who spoke on the issue last night on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said many of the party members applauded Abdulrazaq for the dissolution of the committee after it derailed from its original goal, adding that such decision will send the right message to those that may want to sabotage his efforts.
“The committee is dominated by members of the family of some people, it was not properly channelled and those who have the experience and expertise to handle such things within the party were not given the opportunity.
“So there are lots of abnormalities, some of the sub-committee have over 100 members populated by their (committee members’) close family members as against giving people that worked and campaigned for the party their recognition and paying them their dues.
“That is why we applauded the Governor-elect for dissolving the committee. That bold step is a welcome idea. The members of the committee are more than 300 people. Ab initio, it is not in conformity with the wish of the people that really struggled for the party’s victory. There is the need to give sense of belonging to those at the ward and local government level,” he added.
The source said it is not out of place for Abdulrazaq to delegate some people and his family members to handle certain tasks, but that it appears they are trying to “spoil the show for him.”
“He must have learnt his lessons. It would interest you to know that the Governor–elect approved only 30 people for the first Transition Committee that was later jacked up to about 80 members. His friends and family members were the ones that hijacked it. This latest one is even worse. They were just using their membership to extort party members who they sold aso-ebi to for the celebration. So he has learnt his lesson and I believe he will be careful in subsequent appointments,” he submitted.
One of Abdulrazaq’s top aides, who spoke on the issue, said he was not sure of the dissolution, but refused to be quoted on the matter.
Several calls to the chairman of the committee, Ajadi were not picked. He however responded to a text message on the issue that it was “fake news”.
Before the dissolution, Ajadi had released a statement that “there will be a Swearing-in Ceremony at the Government House, followed by a Thanksgiving Prayer to hold simultaneously at the Central Mosque Ilorin and Church Service at 11am of the same day.
The statement also urged all well wishers to join in the prayers simultaneously across the state for the Almighty God’s guidance and blessings towards a peaceful and successful tenure. It said the governor will later meet with Kwara State elders and Leaders of Thoughts.
“The governor will meet with representatives of the civil servants and also, separately, confer with the Kwara State Traditional Council led by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,” the statement added.
The statement said the state would also observe Democracy Day on the 12th of June, with the programme of events to be announced later.
