Only a third political force can rescue Kwara State in the 2027 general elections, according to Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Ilorin on Tuesday, Oyedepo, who played a key role in the 2019 ‘Otoge Revolutionaries’ movement that ousted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government and brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power, expressed deep concerns over the current state of the ruling party. He warned that internal divisions and leadership betrayal have severely weakened APC’s chances of retaining power in the state.
Oyedepo alleged that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has betrayed the trust placed in him by the revolutionaries who supported his rise to power. “I have no regret personally, though this is not what we worked for,” he said, reflecting on the movement’s original goals. He emphasized that the APC national leadership imposed Abdulrazaq on the Kwara APC, bypassing local preferences and undermining party unity. This, he argued, has led to widespread disillusionment among party members.
In 2024, Oyedepo reportedly warned about 30 party leaders in Kwara State that Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership could lead to the party’s downfall if unchecked. Unfortunately, his warnings were ignored. “What I predicted in 2024 is coming to reality,” he stated, adding that the governor has now aligned himself with certain factions, potentially sealing the fate of APC in the state. He declared that this alignment could mark the end of APC’s rule in Kwara.
As the ADC’s senatorial candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District, Oyedepo acknowledged that the current crisis might present an opportunity for the PDP to return to power. However, he cautioned that this would only happen if APC is rejected by the electorate. He stressed that sensible APC members should not turn to the PDP, as both parties are plagued by dynastic governance and godfatherism. “They are almost the same,” he said, urging voters to seek a party free from such structures.
Oyedepo called on the people of Kwara to support a political force that promotes genuine democracy, transparency, and meritocracy. He believes only such a party can truly liberate the state and position it as a second-generation state capable of sustained growth and development. His comments come amid rising political tensions and growing calls for change in Kwara, as voters prepare for the 2027 elections. The coming years may well determine whether Kwara embraces a new political era or continues under the shadow of old power structures.
Leave a Comment