PDP Members, Supporters Take ‘Osuwa’ Message To Ilorin Streets…We’re Positioning Kwara For ‘A New Direction’-Isa Bawa

PDP members and supporters took to the streets of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday to protest against severe economic hardship and high inflation while also expressing dissatisfaction with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s governance style.

The PDP members and supporters, who wore customized T-shirt and baseball caps, conveyed to the residents their ‘Osuwa’ message via chants, and they displayed banners and placards with varying inscriptions like ‘Osuwa’, ‘In Kwara, One Doctor Treats 12,000 People. This Is Not Acceptable’, among others. 

The PDP leaders and members in their hundreds set out some minutes past 10 am from the Kwara State Stadium Complex, navigating through the popular Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Oja-Oba, Ipata Road and Amilegbe Road down to Post office where it ended.

Giving his speech, the state PDP Chairman, Hon Isa Adamu Bawa noted that it was not just another political gathering but rather ‘a declaration’ adding that it is ‘a declaration that Kwara State is ready for a new direction. A declaration that the people have awakened. A declaration that hope is alive again’.

He also said the massive turnout has sent a clear and unmistakable message across the length and breadth of ‘our state’ that ‘Kwara is ready, and PDP is back—stronger, united, and more determined than ever before’.

Hon Bawa also said the ‘Otoge experiment’ brought accidental leaders into power while submitting that it had since been a story of backwardness in the state, citing worsening security situation and alleged victimization of young Kwarans..

‘Following our successful National Convention in Abuja, our party has emerged more solid, more cohesive, and better positioned to offer Kwarans a credible and people-oriented alternative in 2027. Today, I stand before you to say with all sense of responsibility that the PDP in Kwara is now united, stronger, and fully prepared to field competent and credible candidates that will restore good governance to our dear state.

Since 2019, when the unfortunate ‘Otoge experiment’ brought accidental leaders into power, the story of our state has been that of backwardness . Businesses that once thrived are now struggling. Families are finding it harder to survive. Insecurity has taken root in our communities. Killings and fear have become part of our daily reality. Between year 2025 and now, more than 600 Kwarans have been killed by bloodthirsty bandits . Even our royal fathers are not spare from this menace. 

And we must ask: Is this the Kwara we deserve?

While the people suffer, we see a government that appears more interested in developing only GRA. But let me ask: Is Kwara only about GRA? Do the lives of ordinary Kwarans not matter?

Are the farmers in our villages not important?

Are the traders in our markets not citizens of this state?

Does it mean the blood of our brothers and sisters being killed in rural communities are inferior?

And to our youths—let me speak to you directly.

A government that should be investing in your future, creating opportunities, and empowering you to succeed has instead found comfort in sending you to prisons

We have seen promising young Kwarans—Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, the Akogun brothers, Comrade Kayode Ogunlowo, Comrade Saka Babatunde, Sholyment Olusegun Olusola, Comrade Crown, Comrade Bolakale, and many others—being remanded and sent to prison, not because they committed crimes, but because they dared to speak against government’s recklessness.

And we must ask again: Is this what our youths deserve in a democratic society? Is it now a crime to speak? Is it now an offence to demand accountability?

My dear young people, your voice matters. Your courage matters. And I stand here to promise you that under PDP, your rights will be protected—not punished’ he added.

Hon Isa Bawa also urged all Kwarans of good conscience including those who have left the party for APC, ADC, Accord and other political parties to prioritize the progress of Kwara and return to PDP saying ‘this is your party. This is our collective platform. Together, we can rebuild our state and create a government that truly serves the people’.

‘Let us put aside our differences and unite for the progress of Kwara. Let us build a government that prioritizes security, restores our healthcare system, empowers our youths, and revives our economy’ he added.

Also speaking, a party bigwig, Alhaji Babatunde Obailukan urged Kwarans to see the PDP as a credible alternative while promising good governance and dividends of democracy if voted into power in the state in 2027.

Members of the State Working Committee and other Kwara State PDP bigwigs including Alhaji Tajudeen Alabi, a guber aspirant, Alhaji Bolakale Kawu , Alhaja Sarah Adebayo, former Commissioner for Works, Hon Rotimi Sulaiman and Alhaji Jogunola attended the event.

One of the young Kwarans, who joined others in taking the ‘osuwa’ message to the streets of Ilorin, Olanrewaju Hawau from Balogun Fulani area said citizens have been made to grapple with unsustainable transportation costs due to petrol price hikes while staple items have also become unaffordable- 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 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you