Opposition party rejects AbdulRazaq’s commissioner nominees, says Gov ‘bereft of fresh, productive ideas’

The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has rejected the list of commissioner nominees sent by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to the State House of Assembly, for screening and approval, saying that the list “leaves much to be desired”.

According to a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, the main opposition party asserted that Governor Abdulrazaq was only reinforcing failure by re-appointing the vast majority of former commissioners he sacked three months ago, for their lack of capacity and incompetence.

He stated, “The Kwara PDP notes that the list of commissioner nominees sent to the Kwara State House of Assembly by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, leaves much to be desired. The Governor is reinforcing failure by re-appointing over 80 per cent of former commissioners he sacked last December for their lack of capacity and incompetence.

“This is embarrassing and unfortunate. The vast majority of individuals to be re-appointed as Commissioners are people who have been tried, tested and confirmed to be lacking in capacity and competence. They possess no technoratic qualifications and achievements.

“What this suggests is that there are no better hands in the whole of Kwara State that can assist Governor Abdulrazaq in running the State. It also indicates that things are to remain the same in terms of governance and management of the State affairs.

“The list of Commissioner Nominees unveiled yesterday reflects the moribund present state of governance in Kwara. Certainly, Governor Abdulrazaq is bereft of fresh and productive ideas to change the current narratives and transform the State. Therefore, Kwarans should not expect much from this APC-led government.

“It is pertinent to say that the majority of Kwarans are disappointed by the list of the would-be Commissioners, as we are all victims of the ineffectiveness and incompetence of Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration. The list does not inspire hope and confidence; it simply shows that the Governor does not know what he is doing and has nothing tangible to offer Kwarans.”

Gov’s loyalist had predicted return of sacked commissioners

An All Progressive Congress Chieftain in Kwara State, Barr. Kunle Sulyman had in January hinted at the possibility of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recalling most of his ‘sacked’ commissioners.

“My view is that if not all, many of them are coming back to help the governor achieve success and a second term in office,” the governor’s key loyalist told THE NATION NEWSPAPER in a report published on January 21, 2021.

‘Controversial removal of 24-year-old from commissioner nominees’

Meanwhile, condemnation has continued to trail the controversial removal of a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Ilorin, Kaosara Adeyi from the names sent by the governor to the legislators for confirmation as commissioners.

THE INFORMANT247 confirmed that Adeyi was announced by the speaker, Salihu Yakubu Danladi at the Tuesday plenary as one of the eight nominees.

However, subsequent statement released by the office of the Speaker on Tuesday afternoon contained the names of other nominees announced at the plenary – Aliyu Kora Sabi, Baruten; Arinola Fatima Lawal, Ilorin East; Raji Rasaq, Ekiti; Saadatu Modibbo Kawu, Ilorin South; Aliyu M Saifudeen, Kaiama; Rotimi Iliyasu, Moro; Agbaje Femi Whyte, Offa – aside Adeyi who is from Ilorin West.

Also, the governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, announced Adeyi’s appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Engagement. A source, who pleaded not to be identified, said the governor made the decision at the eleventh hour after it was confirmed that 25 years is the constitution stipulated lowest age for anyone to be appointed as commissioner. The source also lamented that the governor didn’t make enough consultation before sending the list to the legislators. “He asked the speaker to retract her (Adeyi) name as a cover up,” the source said.

Knocks

The lawmaker representing Ilorin-South state constituency, Jimoh Agboola, expressed shock over the controversial removal of Adeyi from the commissioner-nominees, saying there should be another letter to reflect the changes if the executive had changed its mind.

“Her name (Ms Adeyi) was stated in the letter. But I cannot confirm it has been removed until Thursday. Even if it was because of the age, that would be decided at the screening,” A Premium Times report published on Wednesday quoted Agboola as saying.

Also, the Coordinator of Kwara based Civil Society Organization, Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD) in an article entitled “Mr. Speaker, Why Did You Doctor the List?”, expressed disappointment at the manner in which Adeyi’s name was reversed.

He said, “The Governor, who nominated her as Commissioner, might not be aware that she is not yet qualified for the position. Is it a crime for humans to make a mistake? No, it is not. Must records be falsified to correct the mistake? That is not ideal for the government that citizens must emulate to make a false claim. In my mind, the Governor should not have rushed to appoint her as an SSA without withdrawing her nomination to the KWHA as Commissioner. That would have been more honorable of His Excellency to do. He would have been portrayed as a leader who is always ready to admit a mistake and correct accordingly following due process. No one expects him to be perfect. He can’t be Mr. Right every time. Is he not a human being like all of us?”

He pointed out that the State Assembly is not a theatre where people go to play and perform other forms of drama.

“It is a good thing that the mistake was realized, but why must the official correspondence be doctored to mislead the public? Does the Speaker not know that he could have advised the Governor to officially withdraw the lady’s nomination if the House does not want to publicly disqualify her (which they have the power to do)? Mr. Speaker, be upright, bold, and thorough next time. When the Governor is making mistakes, you are there to correct those mistakes. Don’t be an accomplice. I wish you the best,” Alagbonsi added in his article.