Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has reportedly travelled to France ahead of President Bola Tinubu amid worsening insecurity and renewed bandit attacks across several communities in the state.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, sources accused the governor of prioritising political interests over the safety and welfare of citizens.
Multiple sources noted that the governor hurriedly travelled to Europe as an attempt to secure political advantage and presidential backing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to sources familiar with the development, AbdulRazaq allegedly made frantic but unsuccessful attempts to secure a place on the President’s official delegation, including lobbying efforts directed at influential figures within Tinubu’s inner political circle.
Sources, however, claimed that after failing to secure a spot on the presidential entourage, the Kwara governor allegedly travelled independently to France to pursue private political meetings connected to succession plans in Kwara State.
A Presidency source told SaharaReporters that the governor’s mission was allegedly aimed at obtaining President Tinubu’s support to handpick his successor and maintain political control in the state after the end of his tenure.
The source described the move as a calculated effort to position AbdulRazaq as a political godfather in Kwara politics despite the famous 2019 “Otoge” political revolution, which was largely driven by public resistance against political dynasties and godfatherism in the state.
“AbdulRazaq is desperately trying to remain politically relevant after office,” the source said.
“The irony is that the Otoge movement was about dismantling political emperors and godfathers in Kwara, but what is happening now is an attempt to recreate the same system through another route.”
The development comes at a time when residents of several communities in Kwara State continue to battle insecurity, kidnappings and attacks carried out by armed bandits and terrorists operating around parts of Kwara south and other affected areas.
Sources lamented that the governor’s foreign trip came despite the worsening humanitarian situation in parts of Kaiama Local Government Area, where several residents are reportedly facing threats from armed groups.
A source alleged that no fewer than 176 women and children from the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area are currently displaced and living in fear following repeated attacks by suspected terrorists.
The source further claimed that over 100 persons among the Omugo worshippers are also reportedly trapped under areas allegedly controlled by armed groups.
According to the source, many affected residents feel abandoned by the state government amid the deteriorating security crisis.
“Despite the serious insecurity challenges affecting communities in Kwara North, the governor is more concerned about political ambition and succession politics,” the source alleged.
“He is not concerned about the suffering of the people. His focus now is how to become a political godfather in Kwara after leaving office.”
Another source criticised the governor’s foreign trip, describing it as an unnecessary waste of public funds at a time many communities in the state are struggling with insecurity and economic hardship.
“He’s just wasting Kwarans’ money to seek relevance while he’s no longer politically relevant again in Kwara State,” the source added.
Residents have continued to raise concerns over growing insecurity in parts of Kwara State, especially border communities where armed groups allegedly exploit difficult terrains to launch attacks and kidnappings.
SaharaReporters previously reported that suspected bandits reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, wife and one other person in the early hours of Saturday.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.
"Yes. At Olayinka at about 1am. His wife and one other were also abducted. The Monarch is one of the recently graded."
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said, “The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. They came heavily armed and took the monarch away without resistance because everyone was terrified.”
On February 18, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that survivors of the deadly terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused government officials of politicising humanitarian relief by allegedly using food palliatives to mobilise support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), SaharaReporters has learnt.
On February 4, 2026, suspected terrorists launched a coordinated evening assault on Woro community, killing men, women and children indiscriminately in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Kwara State in recent years.
Among those reportedly killed were two wives of the Emir of Woro, several of his children, the Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress and returning students. The Emir, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, was declared missing amid fears that he was either abducted or killed during the attack.
Security sources linked the attackers to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction believed to maintain operational ties with Sahel-based terrorist networks.
Several displaced women and men from Woro, Baburasa and Wawa communities, who spoke during exclusive interviews with SaharaReporters on Monday and Tuesday, alleged that the distribution of rice and other relief materials was turned into a political exercise rather than genuine assistance for grieving victims.
