2 weeks Ago By NICHOLAS UWERUNONYE
ILORIN – Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, one of the arrowheads of Otogee, a political movement that wrestled power from the erstwhile iron grip of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara six years ago, has admitted the state is worse off in terms of governance. Iyiola made this declaration over the weekend while explaining the need for the founding of a new political force named Kwara Redemption Movement (KRM). Speaking on the ‘Otogee’ revolution that swept away PDP from power and brought in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections, Oyedepo lamented saying that the ”covenant we had with Kwarans in 2019 were badly eroded and carelessly mismanaged by another failure of leadership”.
According to him, “the situation, as it is presently, is even worse”. Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, Oyedepo said KRM, which is a child of necessity, is a statewide political association set up to advance the collective interests of Kwarans in particular, and Nigerians in general, adding that membership of the Movement is drawn from across the major political divide with full representation from the three Senatorial Districts of the State. “We have noticed that there is a void in the general affairs of the State and that, while there exists protection for the community and sectional interests, no organisation champions the holistic interest of the people of the State, hence a movement as the KRM must urgently come to the rescue.
“The time is ripe for the emergence of a new generation of political helmsmen that must lead this State to an era where people will be encouraged to contribute to the common pot of soup that will be fairly served. “It is at this point that patriotic, committed and selfless men, women and youths across the State have deemed it fit as a child of necessity to establish for the State a new association that will conscientiously refocus the people of Kwara State to a more beneficial approach to politics. “So, KRM is a new vehicle that will turn the State on the path of purposeful leadership, progress and meaningful development.
“We, therefore, believe that the envisaged right political decision of today will include genuine integration of the political class to effect the desired change. This is the time to reflect and come to terms with this reality in the life of our dear State.” Oyedepo, who attributed the slow pace of development in the State to lack of genuine, committed, responsive and responsible leadership, faulted the leadership selection process in the State, which, he noted, had deprived the people of benefiting from the State’s abundant resources, thereby hindering Kwara’s growth since its creation in 1967.
.
