The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly
criticized Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq for spending N2 billion of the
state’s funds on foreign trips over the past nine months, labeling the spending
as wasteful and unproductive.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the PDP’s State
Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olushola, condemned the governor’s decision to
spend public funds on frequent foreign travels, especially when a significant
portion of the state’s population is grappling with severe economic hardship.
According to the PDP, Abdulrazaq has spent approximately N5
billion on foreign junkets in the past two years, with no measurable impact on
the state.
"It is unacceptable that a governor, especially of a
state with 48% poverty rate and where G-Level 8 civil servants earn a meager
₦75,000 monthly under the 419-minimum wage arrangement which is the poorest in
the North Central region, would lavish billion of public funds on fruitless
foreign travels," the PDP statement read.
The opposition party also highlighted that despite these
frequent travels, the governor has failed to attract any foreign investments
into Kwara in the past three years.
A report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
confirmed this failure, revealing that Abdulrazaq had no success in bringing
external investments into the state.
"More disturbing is the fact that these trips have
yielded no tangible benefits for the state and her people. Despite his frequent
globetrotting, Abdulrazaq has not attracted a single foreign investment into
the last three years as confirmed in a latest report by the Nigerian Bureau of
Statistics, NBS. It shows he has no capacity to lure foreign investors to
Kwara."
Further criticism was directed at the governor for his
handling of the informal sector, with the PDP accusing him of undermining local
businesses through his urban renewal policies.
They expressed concern that the governor's focus on personal
luxury and foreign trips has led to the neglect of vital sectors like health,
education, and security.
"it is unfortunate that despite not being able to attract
any investment to the state, Governor AbdulRazaq has been busy ruining the
informal sector that remains the bedrock of the state's economy by destroying
local businesses under the guise of urban renewal.
"Our party is disheartened that Governor Abdulrazaq, who
should prioritise the welfare of his people, has chosen to squander billions of
naira of public funds on junkets while critical sectors such as health,
education, rural infrastructure, and security remain unattended to. Kwara’s
hospitals suffer from a severe shortage of health workers and infrastructure
deficit, educational facilities are collapsing, and insecurity continues to
threaten the local economy." the statement said.
The PDP called on the people of Kwara to hold Governor
Abdulrazaq accountable for what it described as reckless spending and to demand
transparency regarding unresolved financial issues, such as the ₦10 billion
reportedly kept in an unknown bank account since 2019 and the questionable
N17.8 billion spent on hotel renovations.
The party urged anti-corruption agencies, including the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission (ICPC), to scrutinize the governor’s expenditures and
ensure that public funds are used appropriately for the benefit of the people.
In closing, the PDP reiterated its stance that the people of
Kwara deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare over personal gain, one
that listens, cares, and works toward the betterment of the state.
"Governor Abdulrazaq's penchant for useless foreign
travels raises concerns about his priorities and further demonstrates that he
is more interested in using public resources to fund his personal adventures
than tending to the critical needs of the people. It shows he is completely
disconnected from the plight of average Kwarans.
"Civil servants in the state are earning far below a
living wage, many of them have tragically lost their lives due to their
inability to meet basic needs. Pensioners are left in despair, and the state’s
youth remain unemployed, while funds that could have addressed these challenges
are frivolously squandered on foreign junkets
"Our party calls
on the people of Kwara to keep detailed records of Abdulrazaq's wasteful
spendings and demand accountability from him. The public must continue to ask
critical questions about other unresolved financial scandals, such as the
whereabouts of the ₦10 billion reportedly kept in an unknown bank account since
2019 and the justification for investing N17.8bn on mere renovation of an hotel.”
"We urge anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and
ICPC, to closely monitor the reckless expenditure of Kwara’s resources under
Governor Abdulrazaq's leadership and ensure that public funds are used judiciously
in the interest of the people.”
"As a party, we reiterate that Kwara people deserve a government that listens, cares, and works for the betterment of all, not one that prioritizes personal luxury over the well-being of its citizens."
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