2027: APC, PDP trade accusations over disruption of Kwara empowerment event

Political parties in Nigeria's Kwara State have engaged in a war of words following the disruption of a women's empowerment program. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading accusations over who instigated the chaos at an event organized by the Kwara Central APC Women Leader, Tawakalitu Agaka, also known as Hajia Tawa.

The program, held at Agaka’s residence in Ilorin, aimed to provide cash support to 200 women, youths, and widows. Trouble reportedly erupted when a group, alleged by the APC to be PDP supporters, arrived chanting slogans and confronting APC members. Videos from the scene show individuals shouting "ole" (thief), met with responses of "Sai Kayi" (meaning 'you did it' or 'you are the one'), as security intervened.

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Are we just having different politicians from one house? What is the crime in that?

Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, blamed supporters of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the PDP governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, for the disruption. Abdullateef asserted that organizing empowerment programs and mobilizing support for APC candidates is not an offense and accused the PDP of attempting to reintroduce political thuggery. He claimed the current administration had eradicated such practices and urged residents to condemn the "anti-democratic behavior."

However, the PDP has vehemently rejected the APC's claims. Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, described the APC's accusations as a sign of frustration within the ruling administration. The PDP argues that it is unacceptable for a government official to label residents as "thugs and hooligans" merely for rejecting an empowerment program. The incident has heightened political tensions as the state approaches the 2027 general elections, with both parties seeking to gain an advantage.

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It is unacceptable for a government official to describe residents as 'thugs and hooligans' simply because they rejected the empowerment programme.