PDP Condemns Kwara State Government’s Plan to Build New Secretariat, Calls It Misplaced Priority

The main opposition party in Kwara State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed serious concerns over Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s alleged plan to construct a new Government House Secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement on Monday, PDP’s state Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the project as “illogical” and accused the administration of mismanaging the state’s resources amid widespread infrastructural challenges.

The party questioned the need for the new secretariat, especially at a time when many communities across Kwara are struggling with poor roads, dilapidated schools, under-equipped hospitals, and increasing poverty levels.

“Governor Abdulrazaq has less than two years left in office. What urgent need does a new Government House Secretariat serve at this late stage of his administration?” the statement asked.

PDP also pointed out that the existing Government House complex remains largely unused since 2019, yet the government continues to spend hundreds of millions of naira annually on its upkeep. For instance, approximately N3.2 billion was budgeted for renovation in 2021 alone.

The opposition party challenged Governor Abdulrazaq to disclose full details of the contract and costs associated with the new secretariat, stressing that Kwarans deserve transparency regarding how their resources are being utilized—especially during tough economic times.

Adding to the criticism, the PDP revealed reports that the contract might be awarded to a foreign firm, which they say contradicts the governor’s ‘Otoge’ campaign promise to empower local contractors and boost indigenous businesses to stimulate the state’s economy.

The PDP urged residents of Kwara to stay alert and resist any attempt by the current administration to prioritize vanity projects over critical needs, warning that such actions could mortgage the future of the state’s children without delivering meaningful benefits.