A major political showdown is expected today, Monday, in Ilorin, Kwara State, as the G15 faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for a mega rally despite warnings from Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s camp. The G15, composed of aggrieved party members, aspirants, and leaders, has defied attempts to disrupt their planned solidarity walk, accusing the governor of orchestrating a last-minute strategy to undermine their demonstration. The rally, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed due to security concerns to prevent possible unrest, but the group has now rescheduled it for Monday, vowing to proceed regardless of intimidation.
The G15 claims that Governor Abdulrazaq is attempting to sabotage their event by organizing a rival “thank-you visit” to the Emir’s Palace on the same day. They describe this move as a transparent act of political desperation, suggesting the governor is now in the minority within his own party. In a statement titled “Nothing can stop Monday’s rally,” the group dismissed the governor’s actions as pitiful and laughable, emphasizing that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right that cannot be suppressed by fear tactics.
The coalition further alleges that the governor’s agents have been deployed across Kwara State to offer financial incentives to civil servants, market women, and youth groups to avoid attending the rally. They claim that the government is also mobilizing paid crowds to create a false impression of popularity at the Emir’s Palace. The G15 called this an insult to the intelligence of Kwarans and a reflection of poor leadership in the state.
Despite these allegations, the group remains resolute, declaring that threats, intimidation, or financial inducements from the government will not deter them. They insist that their movement is driven by the will of the people and that Kwarans are tired of leadership that has lost touch with grassroots realities. The G15 emphasized that genuine support cannot be countered by rented crowds or state-sponsored mobilization.
The group has urged the state Police Command and other security agencies to remain neutral and professional during the rally, stressing that their demonstration is peaceful and aimed at promoting democratic values within the APC. They called on all Kwarans to turn out in large numbers to show the governor that no amount of blackmail or bribery can diminish the people’s resolve for inclusion, fairness, and true internal democracy.
The G15 declared that they are the future of the APC in Kwara State and will not be intimidated by a leadership struggling to maintain its grip on power. As tensions rise ahead of the rally, the event is expected to test the strength of party unity and the resilience of democratic expression in the state. The outcome could have lasting implications for the APC’s internal dynamics and political landscape in Kwara.
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