Kwara: PDP accuses Gov Abdularazaq of politicising Offa robbery case

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described the plan by the state government to reopen the Offa robbery court case as an attempt to politicise and frame Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the PDP leadership in Kwara State said the party was shocked by recent media reports alleging a plot by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to reopen “the already concluded judicial process”, adding that Saraki had not been served with any such court processes.

The statement, read by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Olusegun Adewara, said that the alleged plan to reopen the Offa robbery case “comes shortly after Dr. Saraki’s recent appearance on Channels Television, where he courageously exposed the alarming rate of insecurity, killings, and the takeover of rural communities in Kwara North and Kwara South by criminal elements — issues the present administration has woefully failed to address.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that the governor has resorted to resurrecting a painful national tragedy for cheap political gains. We make bold to say that this is dirty politics taken too far. It is both insensitive and dangerous for Governor Abdulrazaq to trivialise a tragedy of such magnitude — an incident that left deep scars on the people of Offa, many of whom are still grappling with the trauma and loss.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, we remind the public that the Offa robbery case was thoroughly investigated by the Nigerian Police. Following these investigations, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, in two separate legal advisories dated June 22, 2018, and August 23, 2018, clearly stated that there was no evidence linking Dr. Bukola Saraki — either directly or indirectly — to the incident.”

The PDP called on the people of Offa, particularly the families directly affected by the robbery incident, to reject what it called an attempt to turn their painful memories into tools of political propaganda.

“It is both unreasonable and illogical to associate a statesman of Dr. Saraki’s standing — a two-term governor and former Senate President — with such a heinous crime. If Governor Abdulrazaq can descend to this level in his treatment of a predecessor, it raises serious questions about his own character as an outgoing governor. Does it mean this is what he can do?

“Let it also be known that unlike in 2018, when such narratives were weaponised to manipulate public perception, the PDP will not sit idly by while the governor attempts to inflame tensions and poison the political atmosphere in the state.”

The party also called on security agencies to take note, saying that the governor’s actions appear aimed at creating unnecessary tension and disorder.

“We urge the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services in Kwara State to take note of these dangerous developments and act in the interest of maintaining peace and stability.

“Kwara State must not be dragged into an avoidable crisis for the sake of one man’s political survival.”