…Demands End to Political Attacks on Saraki
The Kwara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s attempt to reopen the tragic Offa bank robbery case for political advantage, alleging that the move is targeted at discrediting former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at the PDP Secretariat in Ilorin, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described recent media reports suggesting renewed interest in the case as “A desperate and reckless attempt by a politically weakened governor” to blackmail opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We address you today with a deep sense of concern over a disturbing development that strikes at the very core of justice, humanity and responsible governance,” the party said.
According to the PDP, the alleged move to revisit the case amounts to politicising a matter that has already been concluded through judicial processes, adding that though Dr Saraki has not been formally served any court processes, he should not be subjected to what it called “media trial and political persecution”.
The party further alleged that the governor’s actions were driven by his declining political influence and rapidly growing opposition strength in the State.
“It is evident that Governor AbdulRazaq is overwhelmed and has lost grip of leadership within the APC in Kwara State,” the party stated, adding that there was growing dissatisfaction within the ruling party over insecurity and governance challenges.
The PDP also linked the development to what it described as the rising popularity of the opposition in recent political gatherings and outings across the State.
“It is not surprising that this renewed campaign of falsehood comes shortly after Dr Saraki’s television appearance where he spoke on insecurity and the takeover of rural communities by criminal elements,” the statement added.
On the Offa robbery case, the party insisted that the matter had been fully investigated by the police and subjected to legal review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice, while quoting
from earlier legal advice on the case from the DPP which stated: “This office is unable to establish from the evidence a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”
It further cited another advisory which reportedly noted that there was “no prima facie case established” against Dr Saraki regarding allegations of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.
The party stressed that suspects were prosecuted and the matter had gone through trial and appeal processes, with the case now before the Supreme Court, insisting that the legal record should not be selectively interpreted.
“We challenge Governor AbdulRazaq and his propaganda machinery to present the complete legal records rather than peddling misleading narratives to deceive the public,” the PDP said.
The opposition party also urged residents of Offa, particularly families affected by the robbery incident, not to allow what it described as “political manipulation of their pain.”
“It is both unreasonable and illogical to associate a statesman of Dr Saraki’s standing with such a heinous crime,” the party stated.
The PDP warned that it would not remain silent in the face of what it called attempts to “poison the political atmosphere” in the state, while calling on security agencies to monitor developments closely.
“We place security agencies on notice. The Commissioner of Police and the DSS in Kwara State should take note of these dangerous developments in the interest of peace and stability,” it added.
