We’re bringing back sanity to a state you messed up – Governor Abdulrazaq to Saraki
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has responded sharply to Senator Bukola Saraki regarding his criticisms of the administration’s urban renewal program.
The Governor asserted that his administration is working to reclaim what rightfully belongs to the people of Kwara, which he claims was taken or misappropriated during Saraki’s tenure.
In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, on Tuesday, October 8, the Governor stated, “What he has done so far within the law is to courageously reclaim for Kwarans what rightly belongs to them, but were taken away or dubiously converted for private use during the reigns of Saraki and his cronies.”
The statement highlighted the urgent need for the urban renewal program, which aims to restore the original plan of Ilorin to better fit current realities. It read, “The urban renewal programme of the Abdulrazaq administration was long due. It is what a responsible government should have done many years ago when the first Ilorin master plan expired in early 2000.”
The Governor’s office criticized the state of Ilorin prior to his administration, describing it as a “chaotic and unplanned slum,” a condition attributed to the Saraki years when land was reportedly allocated without regard for urban planning codes. The statement pointed out, “The result is the environmental disaster seen in many parts of Ilorin and its environs and its consequences for lives and properties.”
Governor Abdulrazaq emphasized that he has no history of misappropriating public property. He claimed his actions have been aimed at restoring lands that were wrongfully taken or mismanaged, referencing various sites such as the judge’s quarters and the Flower Garden.
The statement continued, “The next time Mr. Saraki is in the state, he should have the courage to see what the government has made of the Flower Garden and the Ile Arugbo land that was stolen from the people. Sprouting right there is a multi-storey building that will house a one-of-its-kind hospital to improve the quality of healthcare delivery for the people and strengthen economic prosperity.”
The Governor noted that the ongoing reforms are crucial for restoring sanity to Ilorin, calling for leadership that is not deterred by criticism from former officials like Saraki. “Restoring sanity in a growing capital city like Ilorin requires courageous leadership that will not be stonewalled by the blackmail of the likes of Saraki,” the statement concluded, emphasizing that the urban renewal initiative is being conducted with full respect for the law and the needs of the community.
