From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of plotting to reopen the 2018 Offa robbery case in a bid to politically target former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
In a statement issued on April 8, 2026 by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the PDP alleged that the move followed what it described as a massive turnout at its recent rally in Ilorin, which it said signaled growing rejection of the current administration in the state.
According to the party, the governor has allegedly directed government lawyers to file fresh criminal charges against Saraki over the Offa robbery incident, despite previous legal conclusions clearing him of any involvement.
“We were reliably informed that after the successful rally held by Kwara PDP in Ilorin last weekend, the governor instructed government lawyers to quickly file criminal charges against Dr Saraki over the Offa robbery case,” the statement said.
Related News
The PDP described the alleged move as politically motivated, accusing the governor of attempting to use the judiciary to settle scores.
“This is a politically motivated plan to use the judiciary to settle political scores as it was done under the Buhari administration, and we are very sure that just as the move failed eight years ago, it will collapse again,” the party stated.
The opposition party recalled that the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation had, in earlier reports, found no evidence linking Saraki to the robbery. It added that suspects earlier charged in connection with the incident had already been convicted, with the case progressing to the Supreme Court.
The statement further alleged that the governor’s action was driven by pressure from leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following the opposition’s show of strength in Ilorin.
“Abdulrazaq is only travelling this route because he came under pressure from the highest echelon of his party after the mammoth crowd that participated in the rally,” the PDP claimed.
The party also accused the governor of attempting to divert attention from governance challenges in the state, including insecurity and internal party issues.
“It is a desperate act of a politically drowning man clutching at straws to keep afloat,” the statement added.
The PDP warned that it would resist any attempt to use the Offa robbery case as a political tool, noting that it would not remain silent as it allegedly did in 2018.
“We will not sit down idly and allow him to continue raising tension in the state and polluting the political atmosphere,” it said.
The party also called on security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Services, to monitor the situation and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“We want to put the security agencies on notice that the governor is merely seeking to create disorderliness in order to divert attention from his unpopularity,” the statement concluded.
