Kwara Governor Orders Arrest of APC Members Over ‘Doctored’ Congress Results

Tension is rising within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State after several party members reportedly faced arrest following protests over alleged manipulation of the party’s ward and local government congress results.

More than 50 party members are said to be under threat of arrest after AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of the state, allegedly directed security agencies to take action against those involved in the demonstrations.

The protests reportedly broke out after members claimed that the results affirmed during the congresses were later altered before submission to the party’s national leadership.

The congresses were held across different wards and local government areas to elect party executives who will serve at the grassroots level of the party structure.

However, disagreements began shortly after the exercise ended, when some members discovered alleged inconsistencies between the results announced at the venues and the lists being compiled for submission to the party headquarters in Abuja.

Party insiders said the demonstrations attracted attention after aggrieved members stormed the residences of the state APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, and the party Secretary, Alhaji Mustapha Ishowo.

The protesters accused party leaders of attempting to change the list of executives already affirmed during the congresses.

According to sources within the party, loyalists of the governor were accused of interfering with the results in several parts of the state.

Asa and Ifelodun local government areas were identified among the locations where the alleged alterations occurred.

In Asa Local Government Area alone, party members alleged that the results from more than eight wards were tampered with after the congress exercise had been concluded.

The affected wards include Otte/Ballah, Efue/Berikodo, Sosoki/Yowere, Ogele, Budo-Egba, Laduba/Sapati, Okeweru and Okeso.

Party insiders claimed that names originally affirmed at the congress venues were later replaced with new individuals believed to be loyal to the state government.

Following the governor’s directive, officers of the Nigeria Police Force were reportedly deployed across parts of the state to arrest those involved in the protests.

Security sources said the state Commissioner of Police assigned the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to coordinate the operation.

At least five persons had reportedly been arrested as of the time this report was filed.

Many of those arrested were said to be from Asa Local Government Area.

A party member in the area disclosed that the APC ward chairman in Ogbondoroko/Reke ward had already been taken into police custody.

Others reportedly arrested include the local government Supervisory Councillor for Health and Works, Mallam Jimoh Razaq.

The arrests have reportedly triggered fear among other party officials in the area.

According to sources, several party leaders have gone into hiding to avoid being picked up by security operatives.

“All others, including the party’s LGA chairman, secretary, women leader and youth leader, are currently in hiding,” the source said.

“The police have been calling many of us repeatedly with different numbers, but nobody wants to answer because of fear of being arrested.”

The source further alleged that Asa Local Government Area is being used to send a warning to other parts of the state.

“The whole idea is to use Asa as a scapegoat,” the source added.

“Once they succeed in intimidating Asa, they know all other local governments would fall for their shenanigans.”

Meanwhile, the crisis deepened after the Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Amasa, announced the removal of five officials from the council’s executive.

Those affected include the Supervisor for Works, Land and Housing, Abdulrasaq Olarewaju Jimoh; the Supervisor for Health and Medical Services, Abdulraheem Muhammed Elere; Special Adviser on Education, Muhammed Nuhu; Special Adviser on Special Duties, Yusuf Tope Mahmud; and Special Adviser on Youths, Muritala Sodiq Tiro.

The council chairman said the officials were removed for allegedly bringing the local government council into disrepute.

He stated that the decision took immediate effect.

However, party members who spoke on the development claimed the dismissals may be connected to the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state following the disputed congress results.

The situation has continued to generate anxiety within the party as members await possible intervention from the national leadership of the APC.