Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq And His Divide-and-Rule Politics In Kwara APC
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has mastered the art of political manipulation through divide-and-rule tactics, and it is tearing Kwara APC apart. Since his emergence, he has waged relentless political battles with top party figures, including Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Bashiru Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB), Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, Moshood Mustapha, and now Senator Saliu Mustapha. This pattern reveals a disturbing obsession with consolidating power by silencing dissent and weakening internal opposition.
Rather than govern with a sense of unity and collaboration, AbdulRazaq has allegedly resorted to cheap blackmail and the use of stooges to fight his battles. His political playbook is predictable—demonize those who disagree with him, create factions within the party, and prop up loyalists willing to do his bidding. This strategy may serve his personal interests, but it is destructive to the party and detrimental to the political stability of Kwara State.
From Friends to Foes: The Governor’s Warpath
The governor’s infamous fallout with Alhaji Lai Mohammed was the first sign of trouble. What began as a partnership built on the Otoge revolution quickly disintegrated into a public feud over control of the party’s structure. AbdulRazaq then turned his sights on Bashiru Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB), whose removal as APC state chairman was widely condemned as a blatant power grab.
Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, a respected political leader, was not spared either. Despite his immense contributions to the APC’s victory in Kwara, he became a target for daring to voice dissent. Moshood Mustapha, another prominent figure, has also faced the governor’s wrath. The latest victim of AbdulRazaq’s political scheming appears to be Senator Saliu Mustapha, whose rising influence and grassroots support have made him a perceived threat to the governor’s dominance.
The Chairman Turned Stooge
Perhaps the most disgraceful aspect of this saga is the role of the APC State Chairman, who has reduced himself to a mere “greeting chairman.” Rather than standing as an impartial leader focused on resolving party disputes, he has allegedly become a willing tool in AbdulRazaq’s hands. His inability to address the party’s internal crises has left many party members frustrated and disillusioned.
Instead of protecting the party’s integrity, the chairman has seemingly prioritized loyalty to the governor over his duty to the APC. This sycophantic behavior undermines the very foundation of party democracy and accountability.
A Party in Crisis
The consequences of AbdulRazaq’s divide-and-rule politics are glaring. The APC in Kwara is now a house divided against itself. With elections approaching, the party’s internal strife poses a significant risk to its chances at the polls. The governor’s tactics have alienated key stakeholders whose support is crucial for the party’s success.
More troubling is the message this sends to the electorate. How can a party mired in internal chaos be trusted to deliver good governance? AbdulRazaq’s focus on internal battles instead of governance is a betrayal of the people’s trust. Kwarans did not vote for factionalism; they voted for progress and unity.
The Way Forward
Governor AbdulRazaq must abandon his divisive tactics and adopt a more inclusive approach to leadership. The APC State Chairman must reclaim his dignity and act as a true leader rather than a puppet. Party stakeholders must rise to the occasion and demand accountability from the governor and his loyalists.
The future of Kwara APC hangs in the balance. If AbdulRazaq continues down this path of division and manipulation, he risks being remembered not as a leader but as a political schemer who tore his party apart for personal gain. History will not be kind to him unless he changes course and chooses unity over division.
Kwarans are watching, and they deserve better.
Abdullahi Abubakar
Political Analyst and Concerned Kwaran
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