Date: 2015-08-16

Our attention has been drawn to the various reactions that our interventions in the media particularly, the social media have elicited amongst the different groups in Kwara State. We noted that some perceived it as a contrived war directed at the leadership of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State and that is why they are quick to describe it as 'hate messages'.

Another section of the society thought it was a war aiming at maligning the personality of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki since we do not belong in his camp and based on that warped conclusion resorted to name calling. The other group believed that we were disgruntled and therefore would bring down everything the establishment represents. Our objectives can never be classified under any of those insinuations.

The vast majority of Kwara residents know that there is a challenge with the way this state is being administered or managed by those who occupy positions of authorities. We sat, thought and researched into what would have brought us to this state of inertia.

Interestingly, at great personal risks and costs we opted to provide answers to the many questions raised by concerned citizens of Kwara State. It is unthinkable and unwise that at this material time any APC card-carrying member will choose to oppose its own party or leadership, when the government is about to dish out patronages. At a time when everyone is rushing and doing even unprintable things to curry the favour of the power that be so, as to secure a place in the yet to be constituted cabinet. We are glad to trek the unpopular path!

Although we are not attention seekers or lobbyists, it may interest you to know that the ruling authorities are aware of our interventions; the events of the past few days lay credence to that affirmation. When emissaries are sent to broker truce and/or work out immediate 'ceasefire'. What does that mean?

For instance, I met a young man who happened to come from my local government in a public place waiting to be attended to by the young man that run the place. After he managed to greet me, he was too in a haste to leave that place. He would rather not want to be seen with a 'Rebel' like me having been shortlisted for an appointment. And I inquired from the owner of the place, 'what type of job does he used to do here'? He replied, 'some APC stuffs like that'. I laughed!

That was where our problem started in the first instance and the inability of the Elites to speak truth to the power for a very long time. We are concerned about our pecuniary gains as if the state is a no man's land. The popular saying is - 'Olorun je ki a ri tiwa se ninu ijoba yi'.

We must rise above what can be described as a 'consuming populace' to one that shows vested interest in the development and growth of her people in particular and the state in general. We wish to restate that there is no other way to our economic survival, rural integration, gainful employments for the youth, provision of quality education and infrastructural revolution except we live for each other.

We are equally aware that there is absent of genuine opposition in the state, those we know on the other sides are at one time or the other benefitted from the system. The parliament has not demonstrated that it is actually owned by the ordinary people. Whose call does the parliament heed? It is good that we leave the Executive Governor of the state out of our discourse to save time and space; the administrative style and allegiance to political benefactor as exhibited by Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed could form research thesis for scholars.

Another area of concern is the high handedness in the corridors of power - this is where the best form of behaviors should emanate from. We looked up to people around there as models. We owe our people a duty to do things differently as that was the only promise we made during the campaigns. Our campaign was based on CHANGE!

We implore you, the good people of Kwara State to help lift the image of our dear state in the comity of states. Please be reminded that we are one of the first generation states created in 1967. We must live for each other, so that posterity can be fair to us.

Caucus for Progressive Change

August 14th, 2015

Signed:
Kayode Oyin-Zubair
Raheem Jimoh
Olurotimi Ajisafe
Azeez Goke
Kayode Ogunlowo
Babatunde Saka
Oluwole Adeyeye
Mayowa Akangbe
Muritala Bakare