Kwara Governor Forwards Names Of Judicial Service Commission Nominees To Assembly After Public Challenge By Human Rights Lawyer

Ilorin,  Kwara State– Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has forwarded the names of nominees for the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

This move followed a public challenge by human rights lawyer and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, Taofiq Olateju, who had urged the governor to urgently reconstitute statutory commissions and boards of key state agencies.

Olateju warned that the prolonged delay in reconstituting the bodies threatened governance, transparency, and development in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, announced the receipt of the governor’s request during plenary.

The nominees are Mande Aliu Umar from Kaiama (Gwanabe), Titus Olasupo Ashaolu from Oke Ero (Odo Owa), Lawal Victor Jimoh from Ilorin South (Akanbi IV), and Dr. Saliu Ajia from Ilorin West (Magaji-Ngeri).

Meanwhile, the Speaker directed the nominees to submit 35 copies of their curriculum vitae to the Clerk’s office by Friday, September 5, 2025, ahead of the screening scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Afrika Eyes previously reported that human rights lawyer and former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, Taofiq Olateju, has called on Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently reconstitute statutory commissions and boards of key state agencies, warning that the prolonged delay poses a threat to governance, transparency, and development.

In an open letter, Olateju expressed concern that several crucial bodies, including the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission and the Kwara State Sports Commission, have been left without leadership after their tenures expired on July 21, 2025, and August 2, 2025, respectively.

He argued that the failure to appoint new members undermines statutory compliance, erodes the rule of law, and creates a dangerous governance vacuum.

According to him, Kwara is now the only state in Northern Nigeria without timely constituted boards and commissions, a situation he described as “historically unprecedented” since the return to democracy in 1999.

Olateju noted that other northern states — including Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Katsina, Bauchi, Plateau, Jigawa, and Zamfara — have all constituted their governing boards within the first year of their current administrations.

He warned that without immediate action, the situation could become a political liability for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, while also alienating civil society, development partners, and party stakeholders.

Olateju urged the governor to “restore the soul of Kwara’s governance” by re-aligning with legal and institutional standards that once made the state a model of reform in the region.

The statement noted that the Kwara State governor’s tenure is facing increasing scrutiny over insecurity, widespread hunger, governance lapses, and the prolonged failure to appoint commissions and governing boards for state agencies.

It noted that “it is on good record that the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission led by the Chief Judge of Kwara State as its chairman for 5-year tenure has expired”.

It said, “This was sequel to their constitution on Tuesday 21st day of July, 2020. Also the four-year tenure of Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji led Kwara State Sports Commission has expired on Sunday 2nd day of August, 2025 and the need for re-constitution has not been done, in spite of the pivotal roles of these commissions.

“Your Excellency Sir, it is pertinent to note that the failure to reconstitute these Commissions and Boards Members that are crucial administrative structures for growth and development of our dear state, to my mind, does not only create a dangerous governance vacuum that undermine statutory compliance; it also sets a deeply concerning precedent in both Kwara State’s history and the broader Northern Nigerian political landscape.

“Your Excellency Sir, this act in the eyes of the public demonstrate that this present administration is nonchalant towards the yearning and aspirations of its people especially members of the ruling (APC) that produced this government.”

The human rights lawyer criticised the Kwara State government for failing to appoint boards for commissions and agencies, arguing this neglect undermines the judiciary, governance, and legal frameworks in the state.

These boards are legally mandated to provide policy direction, oversight, and ensure accountability but have been absent, rendering agencies non-compliant with the law.

The lawyer noted that previous administrations promptly established such boards, respecting institutional checks and balances. In contrast, the current administration has centralised agency functions under executive control, weakening accountability and democratic principles.