COMMUNIQUÉ
Issued at the End of the Strategic Meeting of the Irepodun Unity Caucus (IUC) Held in Esie, Kwara State
The Irepodun Unity Caucus (IUC) has commended the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, for the improving security situation in Kwara South Senatorial District.
In a communiqué issued after its strategic meeting held in Esie yesterday, the group lauded the Governor for his multi-pronged and proactive response to the recent bandit attacks in Oke Ode and some other communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The Leader of the Caucus, Major General Lasisi Olayemi Abidoye (Rtd), said that the group was impressed by the Governor’s swift and decisive counter-measures, which have yielded tangible results — including the neutralization of many bandits and kidnappers and the prevention of criminal elements from holding any territory within the state.
“It is heartwarming that in the wake of the bandits’ attack in Oke Ode and surrounding communities, the Governor took immediate and courageous steps that led to the current improvement in security. These included his visit, in company of military commanders, to Oke Ode and other affected areas; the deployment of military personnel to Kwara South; the recruitment of an additional 2,600 forest guards, bringing the total to 3,300; and the payment of ₦80 million compensation to families of forest guards who lost their lives in the line of duty,”
General Abidoye stated.
Abidoye, who is a member of the Kwara South Security Committee chaired by the Olupo of Ajassepo po and Chairman of the Igbomina/ Ekiti Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Oba (Barrister) Ismail Mohammed , added that the ₦80 million compensation was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting gallant local security personnel and their families.
The Caucus also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the deployment of the military to Kwara South, as requested by Governor AbdulRazaq and other stakeholders.
Commendation for Kwara South Development Initiatives (KSDI)
The Caucus applauded the recent Kwara South Strategic Engagement organized by the Kwara South Development Initiatives (KSDI), which brought together stakeholders in different sectors — government, politics, community leadership, security, youth, and Kwara Southerners in the diaspora.
The group commended the KSDI Convener, Engr. Dr. Johnson Adewumi (Chancellor, Kwara State University; Chancellor, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Coordinator of Kwara South Security Committee and Asiwaju of Oko Irese) for his sterling leadership in Kwara South.
It noted the creation of a security fund by Kwara South Security Committee in the aftermath of the Summit and urged all to contribute to the fund, while also calling for further action on the political direction for Kwara South as discussed by participants at the summit.
Reaction to Inflammatory Remarks
Meanwhile, the IUC frowned at the inflammatory remarks made by Reverend Israel Amoo during the funeral service of former Governor Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo at All Saints Anglican Church, Oke Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area.
“It is unbecoming and distasteful to use the pulpit for political posturing. The facts on the ground do not support claims of neglect in infrastructural development in Kwara South. In Irepodun Local Government alone, Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has executed several road projects, including the Omu-Aran–Oko Road, Esie Museum Road, Okerimi Oro Junction–NITEL Oro Road, Okeya–Ajase-Ipo Road, Oro–Esie–Agbonda–Arandun Road (covering four wards), and the ongoing Agbamu–Ila-Orangun Border Road,”
the communiqué stated.
Voter Registration and Civic Engagement
The Caucus further commended the people of Irepodun Local Government for their active participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise and urged even greater involvement to strengthen democratic participation in the area.
The IUC meeting, hosted by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Bukola Babalola, was presided over by its Leader, Major General Lasisi Olayemi Abidoye (Rtd), the Esikin of Omu-Aran.
Prominent Stakeholders in Attendance were:
• Alh. Raheem Adedoyin, former Commissioner for Information and Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom
• Hon. Azeez Yakubu, Executive Chairman, Irepodun Local Government
• Hajia Rasheedat Kazeem, APC Chairperson, Irepodun Local Government
• Hon. Tayo Awodiji, Kwara Governor’s Development Officer for Irepodun LGA and former Member, Kwara State House of Assembly
• Prince Samuel Alebiosu, former Special Adviser to the Governor
• Chief Gbenga Adeoti, Agba Akin of Arandun and National President, Orisun Igbomina
• Mr. Debo Adeleke (ESGEE)
• Mr Femi Ajibade. Former Group General Manager, Harmony Holdings Ltd.
• High Chief Olabode Adekanye, Aromu of Agbonda Eku Apaland
• Chief Sunday Aremu, Maiyegun of Oko Irese and former Speaker, Irepodun Legislative House
• High Chief Raphael Awotunde, Obala of Omu-Aran
• Mrs. Moradeyo Abidoye, Alh. Raheem Olaniyi Jimoh, and Alh. Nurudeen Akanbi
