Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State is reported to have travelled to France at a time when several communities in the state continue to grapple with escalating insecurity, renewed bandit attacks, kidnappings, and humanitarian distress.
According to multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, the governor’s trip comes amid accusations that his focus has shifted toward political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than addressing the worsening security situation at home.
Sources claimed AbdulRazaq made attempts to secure a place on President Bola Tinubu’s official delegation to France, allegedly lobbying individuals within the President’s political circle, but was unsuccessful in those efforts.
It was further alleged that after failing to join the presidential entourage, the governor proceeded independently to France for what sources described as private political engagements tied to succession arrangements in Kwara State.
A Presidency-linked source claimed the governor’s objective was to secure backing from President Tinubu in order to influence the selection of his successor and maintain political influence in the state beyond his tenure.
The same source suggested that this move reflects an attempt to reassert political control in Kwara, despite the legacy of the 2019 “Otoge” movement, which was widely associated with resistance to entrenched political structures and godfatherism in the state.
One source described the governor’s actions as an effort to remain politically relevant after leaving office, adding that the current developments appear to contradict the anti-godfather sentiment that shaped the state’s recent political history.
While these political allegations circulate, residents in several parts of Kwara State continue to face persistent insecurity, particularly in communities across Kwara South and other vulnerable border areas where armed groups are reported to operate.
Sources also pointed to worsening humanitarian conditions in parts of Kaiama Local Government Area, where displaced residents are reportedly struggling with repeated attacks and displacement linked to armed groups.
It was alleged that around 176 women and children from the Woro community are currently displaced, while more than 100 individuals from the Omugo worshippers are said to be trapped in areas believed to be under the control of armed groups.
Critics within affected communities accused the state government of being detached from the realities on the ground, arguing that attention appears to be focused more on political succession than on urgent security concerns.
Another source described the foreign trip as a misuse of public resources at a time when residents are dealing with insecurity and economic hardship, claiming that political ambitions are being prioritised over governance responsibilities.
The concerns come against a backdrop of repeated violent incidents in the state, including a recent attack in Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where suspected bandits stormed the palace of a traditional ruler, abducting him alongside his wife and another individual.
Residents said armed attackers invaded the palace in the early hours of the morning, firing shots before whisking away the monarch and others to an unknown location, leaving the community in fear.
In earlier incidents reported in 2026, survivors of a deadly attack on Woro community accused authorities of politicising relief distribution, alleging that humanitarian aid was tied to political mobilisation rather than focused on supporting victims.
The February attack on Woro was among the deadliest in the state in recent years, with reports indicating widespread killings and displacement, including members of traditional and religious leadership structures.
As insecurity continues to affect multiple communities, residents have expressed concern over what they describe as a widening gap between political leadership activities and the urgent security needs of affected populations.
