Kwara Politics: Again, Labaika Becomes ‘Centre Of Attention’…His Decision To Resign As Gov AbdulRazaq’s Aide ‘Commendable’-PDP

While Alhaji Ibrahim Labaika, an Islamic gospel musician, who has carved a niche for himself in the genre, may have attracted a lot of celebrities and political figures for his performance at different times, he has also continued to make himself a topic for discussion for politicians, political pundits and others in Kwara State.

Labaika made news on Thursday after taking a decisive decision.

He announced his decision to resign from his position as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Special Assistant on Artiste Matters, and as expected, this made him be in the spotlight.

He noted in his letter of resignation that his conscience will not allow him to continue to draw salary without carrying out his duties and responsibilities.

Labaika’s name is not new to such stories; indeed it has become a recurring decimal sort of.

The Ilorin born chap, who was a supporter of the Saraki political structure, suddenly left the APC , made a good musical effort and composed a song canvassing support for the PDP guber candidate , Chief Simeon Ajibola ahead of the 2015 guber election.

Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his supporters were then in the APC. The song produced by Labaika was then common on the phones of PDP members and supporters in the state while it also came handy for jingles in the electronic media and at the public rallies organized by the party. 

This had then made Labaika become a centre of attention.

 Though, there is nothing so unusual about a political office holder calling it quit, Labaika , has, once again, be a centre of attention as many have submitted that his action may not be unconnected with the upcoming local government elections and the 2027 Kwara state gubernatorial election.

It is not known yet if he would be considering defection to the PDP but the party came to his defence on Thursday submitting that his decision to resign as Governor AbdulRazaq’s aide is commendable.

 In a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara, Kwara state PDP described Labaika’s action as ‘a reflection of the mounting frustration and disenchantment of the common Kwaran, who have grown weary of the misgovernance, incompetence, and profligacy that have defined the Governor AbdulRazaq administration since 2019’. 

 Labaika’s decision, the party noted,  ‘is not just an act of personal conviction but also one that embodies the true spirit of the PDP leader in Kwara and the revered Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki,(CON) who had always chosen to stand by the suffering masses rather than indulge in the luxury of aligning with oppressors in power’. 

The party also made an analogy between Labaika’s decision and the one made by Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki in 2018, when he left the APC for PDP while warning that nothing untoward must happen to Labaika and no one should victimize him.

‘It is no secret that  the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration has been characterized by a ‘one-man show’ style of governance, where decisions are made unilaterally from  the Abuja mansion of the governor without consulting his cabinet.  

As a party,  we recognize that the governor’s cabinet is filled with individuals who, like Alhaji Labaika, understand that things are not being done right. Yet, unlike Labaika, they remain silent, trapped in the cycle of ‘suffering and smiling’ in order to safeguard their salaries and the perks of office, while Kwara continues to bleed from the governor’s incompetence.

The Kwara PDP calls on other members of the governor’s cabinet — Commissioners, Special Advisers, and all who are bound by fear of losing their jobs — to follow in the courageous footsteps of Alhaji Labaeka. 

It is time to stand with the genuine comrades in the PDP, who are committed to rescuing Kwara State from the claws of misgovernance and wastefulness that have plagued the state under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

We hereby warn the governor that nothing must happen to Alhaji Labaika for choosing to resign. His decision to leave the cabinet was based on personal conviction, and he has exercised his right to act in line with his conscience. We remind Governor AbdulRazaq that the right to work or not work is the prerogative of any individual, and any attempt to victimize Alhaji Labaika for his bold step will not be tolerated’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you