The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly condemned recent efforts by the state government to revive the long-settled Offa robbery case against former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and other prominent figures, calling the move a dangerous political maneuver aimed at undermining justice and public trust. In a press conference held in Ilorin on Friday, PDP spokesman Comrade Olushola Adewara described the development as deeply troubling, warning that it threatens the principles of fair governance and human dignity. He emphasized that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated, especially as Saraki has not been served with any legal notice or court process related to the case.
Adewara stated that the PDP, like most Kwarans, is alarmed by reports suggesting Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is attempting to reopen a judicial matter that has already been concluded. He highlighted that two official legal advisories from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, dated June 22, 2018, and August 23, 2018, explicitly found no evidence linking Saraki—either directly or indirectly—to the Offa robbery incident. These legal documents formed the basis for the prosecution and conviction of the actual suspects, whose convictions were upheld at both trial and appellate levels, with the case now pending before the Supreme Court.
The PDP stressed that the current attempt to rekindle the case is not rooted in law or justice but in political desperation. The party accused Governor Abdulrazaq of acting out of frustration as his administration nears its end without delivering significant achievements. “This is a reckless and desperate attempt by a politically drowning governor,” Adewara said, urging the governor and his supporters to release the full legal records to the public instead of spreading selective narratives designed to mislead citizens.
The party also called on the people of Offa, especially families affected by the robbery, to resist having their grief exploited for political gain. They emphasized that it is illogical to associate a respected statesman like Saraki, who served as Governor of Kwara State for two terms and later as Senate President, with a violent crime. The PDP declared that it will no longer remain silent as the governor seeks to inflame tensions and poison the political environment in the state.
In a direct appeal to security agencies, the party placed the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kwara State on notice, warning that the governor’s actions may lead to unnecessary unrest. The PDP urged these agencies to intervene and ensure peace and stability are maintained. As the 2023 gubernatorial election approaches, the PDP insists that the focus should remain on governance and development, not on dredging up old cases for political advantage.
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