The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday accused the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to tackle worsening insecurity, suppressing opposition voices and neglecting critical sectors such as education and healthcare in the state.

The opposition party made the allegations during the official visit of the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Gill Lever, to the PDP State Secretariat in Ilorin.

Addressing the envoy, the Kwara PDP Chairman, Hon. Isa Bawa Adamu, said the visit reflected the strong relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in promoting democratic governance, institutional integrity and the rule of law.

He said the PDP remained committed to democratic ideals and peaceful political engagement but expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating condition of the state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, Kwara, which was regarded as one of the safest states in Nigeria before the PDP left office in 2019, has now become vulnerable to terrorism, banditry and violent crimes.

“In 2019, the PDP handed over Kwara State as one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria. Unfortunately, today, under the administration of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq-led APC government, the state has deteriorated into a flashpoint of terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes,” he said.

The PDP chairman alleged that over 600 persons had lost their lives to bandit attacks between 2025 and now, while more than 30 traditional rulers had allegedly fled their communities due to persistent attacks.

He specifically referenced the recent attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, claiming that over 200 persons were killed during the incident.

“About 179 villagers, many of them children, nursing mothers and pregnant women, were abducted and remain in captivity months after the attack, with little visible effort made towards their rescue beyond social statements,” Adamu alleged.

He further accused the state government of failing to commit adequate resources to security despite budgetary provisions.

“It is particularly unbelievable that despite budgeting over N4 billion for security in 2026, available records indicate that no kobo was allocated to fight insecurity in the first quarter of the year,” he stated.

The PDP also criticised the condition of the education sector, alleging that many pupils in rural communities still learn under trees and sit on bare floors during classes.

Adamu claimed that while N42 billion was budgeted for education in 2025, only N2.5 million was released to the Agency for Mass Education, while N5 billion was earmarked for Government House renovation.

On healthcare, the opposition party alleged that the state government had failed to provide functional diagnostic facilities, including an MRI machine, forcing residents to seek medical tests outside the state.

“For seven years in office, the Kwara State Government has not procured a functional MRI machine despite the importance of the machine to public health,” he said.

The party equally decried the welfare condition of workers in the state, claiming that some civil servants earn below N100,000 monthly.

“A Grade Level 8 officer in Kwara State earns less than N100,000 monthly — an amount even lower than the allowance paid to NYSC corps members,” Adamu alleged.

The PDP chairman also accused the government of using state institutions and security agencies to intimidate opposition members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He alleged that some party members had faced repeated police invitations, criminal charges and administrative victimisation because of their political affiliation.

Adamu cited the alleged withholding of salaries, transfers to remote areas and demotions of civil servants linked to the PDP as examples of political persecution.

He also condemned what he described as attempts to reconnect former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to the Offa robbery case, insisting that the matter had already gone through the courts.

“The attempt to forcefully link our leader and President of the 8th Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to this matter appears aimed at political blackmail and creating negative public perception ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the PDP chairman expressed confidence in the party’s strength and growing public support in the state.

He maintained that the opposition would continue to mobilise ahead of the 2027 elections and work with democratic institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure credible polls.

“We present these concerns not in a spirit of confrontation, but out of a sincere commitment to democratic growth, accountability, and the protection of political space,” Adamu added.