The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara Central Senatorial District has strongly condemned the violent attack on one of its chieftains, Alhaja Tawakalitu Agaka, following a empowerment programme she organised in her hometown of Agaka, Ilorin, over the weekend. The incident has sparked political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, with both major parties trading accusations over the conduct of their supporters and government agents.
In a statement issued by Memudu Turawa, Chairman of APC Kwara Central, the party expressed deep concern over the unprovoked violence and intimidation faced by Alhaja Agaka. The APC called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to uphold civil discourse, warning that such actions undermine democratic principles. “Citizens are at liberty to pursue their political aspirations in an atmosphere devoid of violence, harassment or intimidation,” the statement emphasized.
The APC highlighted that Alhaja Agaka is not only a grassroots politician but also a mother, grandmother, wife, and respected community leader. It stressed that her association with the Agaka community—where PDP governorship candidate Alhaji Kawu Agaka hails from—should not be grounds for hostility or danger. The party urged security agencies, particularly the police, to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The APC warned that anyone involved in such uncivilised behaviour would face consequences, noting that this is not the era when dissenters were silenced without accountability. “This is neither 2003, 2007 nor 2011,” the party stated, underscoring its resolve to protect its members.
In response, the PDP in Kwara State accused the APC-led administration under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of using inflammatory language to discredit peaceful citizens. The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described comments by an aide to the governor as absurd and insulting, especially the labelling of entire communities as “thugs and hooligans.”
According to the PDP, the people who confronted the APC team in Agaka were not PDP members but concerned residents who have endured years of neglect under the current administration. They rejected what they called a “last-minute, politically motivated” N5,000 empowerment gesture, questioning why such interventions had not been made since 2023.
“The question is: where were these sudden interventions and political gifts from 2023 until now?” Adewara asked. He argued that the timing of the event reflects desperation rather than genuine development, especially in a community known for entrepreneurship and business acumen.
As political tensions rise, both parties continue to accuse each other of inciting unrest. The incident in Agaka underscores growing public dissatisfaction and the increasing stakes in Nigeria’s upcoming electoral cycle, with community trust and governance at the forefront of public scrutiny.
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