The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly criticised the alleged proposal by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to construct a new Government House Secretariat in Ilorin, describing the move as a “waste of public resources” and “a glaring case of misplaced priority”.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP expressed deep concern over what it termed the governor’s intent to channel scarce public funds into a non-essential project, while “numerous communities across the state continue to suffer from debilitating infrastructure deficits”.
The opposition party questioned the timing and necessity of the proposed construction, noting that Governor Abdulrazaq has less than two years left in office. “What urgent or strategic relevance does a new Government House hold at this twilight of his tenure?” the statement queried.
The PDP further argued that the current Government House remains largely underutilised, alleging that the governor has avoided occupying the complex since assuming office in 2019, even as hundreds of millions of naira are appropriated annually for its upkeep. “For instance, in 2021 alone, the sum of N3.2 billion was budgeted for renovation works at the facility,” the party noted.
Citing concerns of transparency, the PDP demanded the immediate publication of the contract details, including the financial outlay and implementing firms. “Kwarans deserve full disclosure on how their commonwealth is being deployed, especially in these times of economic hardship,” Adewara stated.
The party also raised alarm over reports that the project may have been awarded to a foreign contractor, a move it described as “a betrayal of the Otoge campaign promise” which, it recalled, had pledged to empower local contractors and foster indigenous enterprise.
“This latest development undermines the credibility of that promise and calls into question the administration’s commitment to sustainable economic empowerment of Kwarans,” the statement read.
The PDP urged citizens to remain vigilant, warning against “vanity projects” which, in its view, offer no immediate value and risk mortgaging the state’s future. “This is a critical moment for Kwarans to demand accountability and ensure public resources are invested in initiatives that truly serve the people’s welfare,” the statement concluded.
