Fresh Concerns Trail Arrests, Prosecutions Of Political Critics In Kwara As Ally Warns AbdulRazaq Against ‘Using Courts To Manage Opponents’

Ilorin, Kwara State– A political ally of Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, has raised concerns over a growing pattern of arrests and prosecutions targeting individuals with opposing political views in the state, warning that such actions could damage the administration’s legacy and threaten the state’s peaceful reputation.

In a statement titled Kwara: On Arrests and Prosecutions Against Opposing Views,” Elder Oyin-Zubair said the increasing use of law enforcement and the courts against critics over social media posts, political opinions and alleged defamatory comments was troubling and inconsistent with democratic principles.

According to him, politics is naturally confrontational and public office holders should be prepared to tolerate criticism rather than resort to criminal prosecutions.

“Let’s speak plainly. The pattern of arrests and prosecutions against people with opposing views under Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s administration is troubling.

“Politics will always be rough. People will call names, ask tough questions, and test your patience. If you can’t stand that, don’t go into politics. But using state power to charge people over name-calling, social media posts, and political criticism is crossing the line,” he said.

The political ally drew parallels between the now-shelved Offa robbery case involving former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the current defamation and cyberbullying charges reportedly filed against him, arguing that both reflected what he described as an attempt to use judicial processes to manage political opponents.

“The shelved Offa robbery trial of Dr. Bukola Saraki and now the defamation and cyberbullying charges against him point to the same approach: using the courts to manage political opponents,” he stated.

Oyin-Zubair also referenced the legal dispute involving Mallam Mutawalli, revealing that he had personally intervened by engaging Governor AbdulRazaq on the matter.

According to him, the governor had assured him at the time that discussions among family members were progressing toward an amicable resolution, making the decision to pursue prosecution contradictory.

“On the Mallam Mutawalli legal tussle, I also intervened directly. I raised it with the Governor at the time, and he confidently told me how the family members were interacting to get things sorted out. That private engagement was working. Resorting to prosecution now contradicts that approach,” he said.

The elder statesman further argued that the timing of the prosecutions was inappropriate, considering the security challenges confronting Kwara State.

He pointed to the reported captivity of 176 women and children in Kaiama as well as attacks in Kwara North and Kwara South, including reported invasions of traditional rulers’ palaces, insisting that government attention should instead be focused on safeguarding lives and property.

“This is the wrong time for it. Kwara is facing real security problems — 176 women and children still in captivity in Kaiama, attacks in Kwara North and South, traditional rulers’ palaces being invaded. Government energy should be on protecting lives, not prosecuting critics,” he said.

Elder Oyin-Zubair cited years of public criticism directed at President Bola Tinubu over the controversy surrounding his Chicago State University certificate.

According to him, despite litigation in both Nigeria and the United States, no arrests were made over public criticism of the issue, while the Presidency described the controversy as “a distraction.”

“Even at the federal level, President Tinubu has been publicly criticized and lampooned for years over his Chicago State University certificate. The matter went to court in Nigeria and the U.S. No one was arrested for it. The Presidency called it a ‘distraction,'” he said.

He also cited remarks previously attributed to the Inspector-General of Police, saying criticism of public officials should not automatically result in arrests.

“The Inspector General of Police also said it clearly: ‘We don’t arrest anybody for abusing anybody.’ Criticism is allowed. The line is only crossed when false information is published,” Elder Oyin-Zubair added.

Warning of possible political tensions, he questioned the wisdom of prosecuting political figures ahead of future election campaigns, arguing that such trials could attract supporters, heighten tensions and create avoidable security risks.

“If we start arresting people for criticism now, before campaigns even begin, what happens when crowds gather if Saraki appears in court? Can security control it? Will this not cause clashes and unwarranted casualties among political fanatics?” he asked.

Elder Oyin-Zubair further noted that Kwara State had long enjoyed a reputation as one of Nigeria’s peaceful states and warned against actions capable of undermining that image.

“Kwara has been adjudged peaceful and progressive under Mallam AA. It would be a shame to lose that in the last lap,” he said.

Explaining the motivation behind his intervention, Elder Oyin-Zubair maintained that his comments were intended to preserve the administration’s achievements rather than attack the governor.

“Why I’m saying this: I’m saying it because I want the administration’s legacy to be protected. My intention is not to destroy, but to advise. Constructive criticism is how genuine allies help a government avoid costly mistakes. Silence at this stage would be disloyal.

“Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq should not lose his genuine aides, allies, and supporters at this critical time. He needs honest and sincere advice now more than ever,” he stated.

He added that the position expressed in the statement represented his personal opinion, while disclosing that he had previously enjoyed direct access to Governor AbdulRazaq as one of his supporters and allies.

According to him, although that engagement had recently paused after he maintained his position on an issue, there was “no love lost” between both men.

He also disclosed that he had similarly written privately to the governor during the planned prosecution of Saraki over the Offa robbery case, expressing his personal reservations at the time.