Olosasa: Gov AbdulRasak’s Best Not Good Enough for Kwara Since 2019

Alhaji Toyin Olosasa, a figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, has voiced strong criticism regarding the performance and popularity of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq. Olosasa contends that the governor's standing has plummeted since 2019, to the extent that he believes AbdulRazaq could not win even a local councillorship seat. This assessment, he argues, is a reality even the governor and his close associates are aware of, and it poses a potential risk to President Bola Tinubu's political fortunes in the state.

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As long as I am alive, I will continue to speak truth to power. No amount of pressure or intimidation will silence me. The reality is that the people are tired of the Governor. They are not tired of the APC, and they are certainly not tired of President Bola Tinubu. However, if care is not taken, the Governor’s declining popularity could negatively affect the President politically in Kwara State.

Olosasa draws a clear distinction between the popularity of the APC as a party and the perceived decline of the governor himself. He attributes the party's continued relevance to other credible stakeholders and the enduring goodwill President Tinubu enjoys among voters. However, he asserts that the governor's relationship with key segments of society—traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders, youths, and the political elite, particularly within the Ilorin Emirate—is strained. This widespread dissatisfaction, he warns, could lead to a resurgence of support for the previously dominant Saraki political structure.

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The Governor and I are from the same Ilorin West Local Government. I challenge him to test his popularity today. Let Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq contest a councillorship position in Adewole Ward against someone like Yinka Otukoko of the PDP or even Comrade Musbau Eshinrogunjo who’s in prison as we speak. Let the people decide. The truth may be bitter, but it remains the truth: the Governor’s rating is at its lowest ebb across Kwara State.

From the perspective of a local APC chieftain like Olosasa, this internal critique highlights the complex dynamics within the ruling party in Kwara. While outwardly aligned with the national leadership, there are clearly internal voices expressing deep concern about the governor's leadership and its potential electoral consequences. The interview serves as a stark warning from within the party ranks, suggesting that the governor's declining popularity is not merely a matter of opinion but a tangible political liability that could affect the APC's broader electoral prospects in Kwara State.

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The APC remains popular because it is home to several credible and widely accepted stakeholders. I won’t begin to mention names, but Kwarans know those who command genuine respect and followership. Additionally, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu still enjoys significant goodwill among the average voter in Kwara State. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Governor. I believe even he and his close associates are aware of this reality. I would also be surprised if President Tinubu is not aware.