The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Kwara State government are at odds over the timing of palliative and empowerment programs being distributed across the state’s 193 wards.
The PDP alleges that the N50,000 empowerment given to 150 people in each ward under the Kwara State Investment Programme is a tactic to attract voters for the upcoming Local Government elections on September 21.
In a statement, PDP Publicity Secretary Olusegun Adewara urged the people of Kwara to “be vigilant and not be swayed by the recent reintroduction of the Subsidised Transport Palliative Programme by the state government, ahead of the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.”
He continued, “Aside from the subsidised transport palliative, the state government has reportedly directed that a list of 150 individuals from each of the 193 wards be compiled and submitted to KWASSIP for a purported N50,000 empowerment, with this exercise expected to cost about N700 million.”
The PDP expressed concern that these measures are desperate attempts by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to deceive the public and buy their votes after six years of hardship and poor governance under his administration. They also alleged that the governor is contemplating borrowing an additional N20 billion to finance the elections in favour of his party and selected candidates.
In response, Chief Press Secretary to the governor Rafiu Ajakaye dismissed the PDP’s allegations as baseless, asserting that the government does not need to bribe the electorate to win the upcoming local government elections.
Ajakaye stated, “The achievements of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq through various projects and programmes over the past five years are sufficient proof for the people to continue supporting the APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.”
He further explained that the government has been supporting youth business expansion through KWASSIP since 2020.
“The PDP’s claims are unfounded and petty. The state government, led by Governor Abdulrazaq, has been supporting business growth for the people since 2020. The government does not need to bribe anyone to win elections in the state,” Ajakaye concluded.
