Kwara governor hails Tinubu as FG begins construction of Oko Olowo Bridge

…says project fulfils years-long advocacy

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of construction of the Oko Olowo Bridge, describing the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing request by the state.

AbdulRazaq, in a statement on Thursday, said the project would provide relief to thousands of residents who live along the axis or regularly use the road.

He said the state’s advocacy for the reconstruction of the bridge began in 2019 and was renewed after Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

“Our advocacy on this bridge began since 2019. We again renewed this advocacy as the President settled down in the office in 2023,” the governor said.

AbdulRazaq recalled that he visited the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in 2024 alongside Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency lawmaker Mukhtar Shagaya and Ahmed Yinka Aluko to push for the construction of the bridge and the Ilorin-Lokoja Road through Omu Aran.

He added that during Umahi’s visit to Kwara in October 2025, the minister assured the state that work on the bridge would commence soon.

“So what is happening today is a dream come true and promise kept by the President and the Hon. Minister. We are grateful and we see this as an intentional effort to protect lives and property,” AbdulRazaq said.

The governor urged the Minister of Works to expedite action on other requests by the state, particularly the Ilorin-Lokoja Road through Omu Aran.

He described the bridge project as one of the dividends of democracy enjoyed by Kwarans and said it would influence the state’s support for Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

“This Oko Olowo project is one of the many other dividends of democracy that our people have enjoyed, and it is another reason that the people of our state will vote massively for the President and all APC candidates in the coming election,” he said.