Thousands turn out as APC G15 holds massive rally in Ilorin
Supporters of President Bola Tinubu under the platform of the Kwara APC G15 on Monday staged a solidarity walk in Ilorin, declaring the relaunch of the OTOGE movement that ended the Saraki political dynasty’s dominance of Kwara politics in 2019.
The coalition said the renewed movement was aimed at confronting what it described as the abandonment of the ideals of the original OTOGE struggle by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The procession, which began at the Geri-Alimi Underpass, moved through the Emir’s Palace and terminated at the Post Office in Ilorin, attracted thousands of supporters and party faithful.
The Kwara APC G15 is a coalition comprising 10 leading governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, the state’s three serving senators, a majority of APC members in the National Assembly, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, the party’s Elders Caucus, youth and women leaders, among other stakeholders.
Addressing supporters after the march, leaders of the coalition said the large turnout reflected growing dissatisfaction among party members and demonstrated that the ideals upon which the OTOGE movement was founded remained alive.
In a statement issued after the procession, the coalition disclosed that it recently concluded consultations in Abuja with senior APC stakeholders and other national leaders on developments within the party in Kwara State.
According to the Kwara APC G15, the consultations focused on the unity of the APC in the state, the future of Kwara politics and the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement read, “We have come to the firm conclusion that we owe it to our supporters, to the people of Kwara State, and to generations yet unborn to subordinate our individual political aspirations to one collective ambition—the rescue of our party and the rescue of Kwara State.”
The coalition maintained that the OTOGE movement represented a popular struggle against exclusion, impunity, political domination and poor governance, alleging that those ideals had gradually been eroded.
It also accused the state government of centralising governance and party administration, insisting that the APC in Kwara had become increasingly divided.
“Sadly, this is not the Kwara State we all bargained for. This is not the Kwara State we promised our people during the OTOGE Revolution,” the statement added.
The coalition, however, reaffirmed its loyalty to President Tinubu and pledged continued support for his administration while calling on the President and the National Working Committee of the APC to ensure the emergence of leadership in Kwara that reflected the wishes of the majority of party members.
It also presented a 10-point demand to the President and the party leadership, urging the rejection of what it described as flawed and controversial party primaries in the state and advocating a merit-based succession process anchored on competence, credibility and popular acceptance.
Other demands included transparent and inclusive party administration, an end to political godfatherism, protection of dissenting voices, accountable governance, genuine reconciliation based on justice and fairness, and an urgent review of the state’s security strategy.
The Kwara APC G15 further rejected what it described as attempts by a minority within the party to impose its preferences on the majority.
“Democracy derives its legitimacy from the consent of the majority, not from the preferences of a select few,” it stated.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District and governorship aspirant, Saliu Mustapha, urged Governor AbdulRazaq to embrace fairness, inclusion and internal democracy.
He warned that political structures built on exclusion and imposition rarely endure.
“The people of Kwara have spoken before. They are speaking again. And when the time comes, their collective voice will once more determine the future of our state,” Mustapha said.
Prominent APC stakeholders at the rally included former state party chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa; Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari; Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe; Senator Lola Ashiru; Senator Umar Suleiman Sadiq; Dele Belgore (SAN); Tajudeen Audu; Omar Muhammed Bio; Oluwatoyin Alabi; Azeez Salako; Captain Ahmad Mahmud and Yinka Aluko, among others.
