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Dismisses Ex-Senate President, PDP’s Allegations against AbdulRazaq
- Safiu Kehinde
The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations made against the state’s governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over the the revived Offa robbery attack case.
NPO Reported that the Kwara state goverment had filed a fresh 20-count charge against Saraki and others over their alleged involvement in the robbery attack.
Saraki had in reaction accused Abdulrazaq of plot to politically prosecute and damage his reputation.
The PDP had also faulted the case against Saraki.
Reacting at a news conference held in Ilorin on Saturday, the APC Secretary in Kwara, Abdulwaheed Balogun, described the allegations as “melodramatic” and lacking in merit.
Balogun said that the party found it necessary to respond to the trending misinformation to clarify the situation and disabuse the minds of the public.
“APC’s attention has been drawn to a statement by the PDP and Saraki accusing Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of plotting the filing of charges against Saraki and three others over the 2018 Offa armed robbery incident that claimed the lives of over 30 people.
“Neither Saraki nor the PDP should be concerned if they have no culpability,” Balogun said, stressing that courts rely on evidence and facts rather than public statements.
He said that rather than resort to personal attacks, the proper thing was for defendants in the case to face trial and allow the court to determine guilt or innocence.
The APC secretary said that individuals familiar with events of the period would attest to the facts, urging all parties to allow due process to take its course.
He also criticised statements questioning the popularity of the current administration, noting that residents of the state were in a position to assess the government.
Balogun commended the state government for what he described as its resolve to pursue justice, adding that the matter was already before a competent court.
He said that it was the responsibility of the judiciary to determine the case, warning against attempts to influence public opinion through media narratives.
The APC secretary further urged the PDP to advice Saraki to clear his name through legal means rather than issuing statements capable of undermining public institutions.
According to him, no individual is above the law, and legal processes should not be substituted with media campaigns.
Balogun said the current administration remained focused on governance, including infrastructure development, healthcare improvement, and prompt payment of salaries and pensions.
He added that the government would not be distracted by political criticism, reaffirming its commitment to security, development and justice in the state.