Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, It's Time to Prioritize Adewole Ward: 6 Years of Neglect, 2 Years Left
Sukari mohammed Alhaji@sukarimohammedalhaji247309
2 months ago
By: Jamiu Suleiman Sakele
19th October 2024
Your Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,
I had initially intended to address this message to you privately, but after careful consideration, I’ve decided to make it public. Not out of malice, but so it can be on record that I raised these concerns at the appropriate time. Should you choose not to heed this honorable advice, it will be unfortunate, but at least it will be clear that the truth was spoken when it mattered most. I sincerely apologize if this message hits hard, but I feel a deep responsibility to voice what so many of us in Adewole Ward have been quietly discussing for a long time.
Sir, you have been the governor for almost six years now, with only about two years left in your tenure, and yet a significant number of sensible and respectable citizens from Adewole Ward are deeply disappointed in your approach to uplifting the ward.
The truth is, Your Excellency, while you have made strides in certain areas, the people of Adewole Ward feel left behind. It’s true that under your administration, some low-tier federal employment opportunities have been facilitated for the ward, and for that, we are grateful. However, we must not forget that even before your governorship, Adewole Ward had benefitted from both federal and state low-tier employment opportunities. This is not new to us. What we expected from you, as a son of the ward and the governor of Kwara State, was a transformative impact on the development of our community. Unfortunately, that expectation has not been met.
More recently, a notable son of the ward contested for the Local Government Chairmanship, and we all saw how that played out. This instance reflects a broader issue: a lack of commitment to uplifting reasonable and competent individuals from the ward who can bring meaningful contributions to the future of our community.
As the clock ticks toward the next election, it is essential to start building a strong foundation by supporting individuals from the ward who can add significant value, not just to the political landscape but to the lives of the citizens. It's time to invest in the future of Adewole Ward. Your legacy as a governor will not only be measured by your achievements at the state level but by how well you nurtured and developed your home base. The number of people you uplift and empower from Adewole Ward will directly count toward your success, or failure, when your tenure comes to an end.
To be fair, sir, I acknowledge that you have appointed individuals from Adewole Ward into various positions. However, appointing people is one thing; ensuring that those appointments lead to tangible benefits for the ward is another. Unfortunately, many of those you have elevated have not added significant value to the community. The key question remains: how many of those appointees have uplifted others within the ward? How many have acted as role models or mentors to the youth? How many have contributed to economic growth or social development? The truth is, sir, we can do better.
It’s important to remember that Adewole Ward is not monolithic; it is divided into zones, each with its unique needs and challenges. As the governor, how many of those zones have you genuinely engaged? How many of the most capable individuals from these zones have been placed in positions where they can help uplift others? Unfortunately, many of the people you have favored are, quite frankly, among the least capable in terms of leadership and vision for the future. This has left many zones within the ward feeling neglected, underserved, and disconnected from the promise of your administration, other than receiving small handouts such as the 10,000 Naira for food and groceries.
Adewole Ward is blessed with abundant talent. We have individuals who possess the skills, passion, and dedication to truly make a difference, not just in the ward but across Kwara State. These are individuals who have the best interests of the community at heart, who would justify the decision of having a governor from Adewole Ward. Yet, it feels as though these people are being overlooked, their talents ignored in favor of short-term political expediency. Your Excellency, if you continue down this path, you risk alienating a substantial portion of the ward, and that will have repercussions come election time.
Your Excellency, I'd like to emphasize that no politician would willingly risk losing their political base, especially considering the high level of discontent in Adewole Ward. If elections were held today and didn’t favor you, it would be detrimental. The last local government election serves as a prime example, where Hakeem Lawal emerged victorious in his ward despite being an SDP member. This underscores the strong support and affection his people have for him, demonstrating his effectiveness in his ward.
I believe, sir, that many of your promises to the ward were made in good faith. However, over time, it has become evident that some of those promises were merely designed to garner blind support without any genuine intention of fulfillment. I urge you to reflect on this and take corrective action. We need to see tangible, meaningful change in Adewole Ward. This is not just about politics; this is about the future of an entire community that has long been neglected.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, the clock is ticking. You still have time to make a lasting impact on Adewole Ward, but that window of opportunity is closing fast. I urge you to take this message to heart and to begin focusing on building up the best and brightest from the ward. Empower those who can truly make a difference, and in doing so, you will solidify your legacy as a governor who not only led the state but also uplifted his people.
Let us consider the example of your major political opponent, widely regarded as a political powerhouse. Even in retirement, his legacy speaks volumes. During his tenure as the leader of the state, he made significant efforts to uplift reasonable individuals from his ward. The likes of the Director-General of NILDS (National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies) stand as living proof of his commitment to empowering people from his ward. Today, even without being in power, the ward is not stranded or politically isolated because of the solid foundation he laid for human capital development. He ensured that the ward continued to thrive, even after his leadership, through strategic appointments and influence.
Now, let’s compare that with your human-building strategy in Adewole Ward. It is deeply concerning that a federal appointment that could have benefited the ward was diverted to a nearby ward due to your political interests. This decision has only exacerbated the growing dissatisfaction within Adewole Ward, where many zones remain unrepresented and excluded from opportunities. There are several zones within the ward that have yet to benefit from your position. In contrast, your political opponent's ward saw members in the State House of Assembly, a chairman of the Ilorin West Local Government, and other key positions, all under his leadership. He uplifted individuals who contributed significantly to the community’s growth.
Your Excellency, just ask yourself: how many of the individuals you’ve uplifted from Adewole Ward possess the unique qualities and merit of the likes of the DG of NILDS? Can they compete and uphold positions based on merit alone? The answer, sadly, is no. You have uplifted the least among us; individuals who, after your political journey, may find themselves going door to door begging for tokens just to survive. These are not the capable, credible, or qualified individuals who can elevate the ward and represent us with pride.
We have notable individuals in the ward, citizens with the right credentials and proven capabilities, who could make a significant impact. Yet, they have been overlooked in favor of those who lack the competence and vision to lead. Take, for instance, the SME fund of 1 million Naira from Kwassip that you facilitated for about eight individuals from the ward. Ask about their progress today. Many of them cannot account for even 50,000 Naira, let alone establish a sustainable business. I urge you not to shy away from inquiring about this situation as it’s an embarrassing testament to the failure of the current human capital development strategy.
Thank you for your time, Your Excellency. I hope you will take this constructive criticism in the spirit it is intended and act accordingly.
Sincerely,
Jamiu Suleiman Sakele
A Concerned Citizen of Adewole Ward
