A powerful coalition of All Progressives Congress stakeholders in Kwara State on Monday declared that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has lost majority control of the party, as thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Ilorin in a show of strength and a relaunch of the OTOGE movement.
Operating under the banner of the Kwara APC G15 Coalition, the group said the governor no longer enjoys the backing of the dominant bloc in the ruling party, insisting that the political tide in the state has turned.
The coalition made the declaration during a solidarity walk that began at Geri-Alimi Underpass, moved past the Emir’s Palace and ended at the Post Office in Ilorin.
At the rally, the group also revived the OTOGE Revolution — the political battle cry that ended the Saraki dynasty’s grip on Kwara politics and swept AbdulRazaq to power in 2019.
The G15 said it comprises 10 leading governorship aspirants, the state’s three serving senators, a majority of APC lawmakers in the National Assembly, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, the party’s Elders Caucus, and youth and women leaders.
Speaking after the march, leaders of the coalition said the massive turnout was proof that AbdulRazaq’s grip on the party had weakened and that the original OTOGE spirit remained alive among party loyalists.
In a statement issued after the rally, the group accused the governor of abandoning the values that gave birth to the movement — inclusion, internal democracy, accountability and collective leadership.
“History has placed upon us the responsibility of ensuring that the dreams and sacrifices of the OTOGE Revolution are neither abandoned nor betrayed,” the coalition said.
The group alleged that the APC in Kwara has become more divided under AbdulRazaq, with political participation shrinking and power concentrated in the hands of a few.
It said the governor no longer represents the mainstream of the party, arguing that the alliance of senators, aspirants, legislators, elders, youth and women leaders in the G15 reflects the real majority in the Kwara APC.
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“We reject, unequivocally, the tyranny of a minority seeking to impose its will on the overwhelming majority of party members and the people of Kwara State,” the statement said.
The coalition said it had recently held talks in Abuja with senior APC figures and other national leaders on the future of the party in Kwara, the state’s political direction and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
While reaffirming loyalty to Tinubu, the group urged the President and the APC National Working Committee to ensure a more inclusive and credible process ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also rolled out a 10-point demand, including opposition to what it called flawed party primaries, a merit-based succession process, inclusive party administration, respect for dissenting voices, an end to political godfatherism, genuine reconciliation and stronger action on insecurity.
The coalition further called on AbdulRazaq to embrace dialogue, fairness and internal democracy, warning that political structures built on exclusion and imposition do not last.
“The people of Kwara have spoken before. They are speaking again. And when the time comes, their collective voice will once more determine the future of our state,” it said.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central and is a frontline governorship aspirant, urged the governor to embrace fairness, inclusion and internal democracy, warning that structures built on exclusion rarely endure.
Other figures at the rally included Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Amb. Yahaya Seriki Gambari, Sen. Yahaya Oloriegbe, Sen. Lola Ashiru, Sen. Umar Suleiman Sadiq, Dele Belgore (SAN), Tajudeen Audu, Omar Muhammed Bio, Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, Dr. Azeez Salako Muideen Olaniyi, Captain Ahmad Mahmud, Yinka Aluko and Ismail Tijani.
Crediblenewsng.com
