By Comrade Lanre Osho

Fellow Kwarans, unknown to many, the 2027 politics has begun in earnest. Politics has become an integral part of our lives, with daily discussions dominating our conversations. However, we’ve left governance to politicians, which has led us astray.

For now, we shouldn’t be fixated on politics, instead, we should focus on governance, holding those in power accountable for effective delivery. As a lifelong advocate for justice, authors, and public policy analysts      I’ve always felt compelled to contribute to the public discourse, whether through writing articles, challenging injustices in court, or mobilizing peaceful protests.This unwavering commitment to fighting for what I believe in has been a hallmark of my journey, dating back to my days at Federal Polytechnic Offa. I’ve never shied away from a struggle, and I won’t be deterred.

One thing that resonates deeply with me is the importance of standing up against injustice. When faced with attempts to silence me or discredit my work, I refuse to back down.

In fact, it was this unyielding spirit that led to the creation of “The Voice of Change.” After facing framing, blackmail, and defamation for organizing protests, I decided to write a book offering guidance to the government on embracing peaceful protests and preventing violent ones.

As activists, we don’t run from struggles, we confront them head-on, driven by our conviction to create a more just and equitable society.

As a statistician-turned-columnist, I believe in analyzing issues objectively and providing solutions. This has become my daily routine.please sorry for the preamble,it’s my writing style, coupled with my weekly column, Pentalk.

We all know how the pen reasons  it can write anything that comes to the writer’s mind. That’s why I won’t spare the political brouhaha in Kwara State, particularly the KRM movement led by Chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo. How forceful is this movement?

Will the movement sweep all political posts in 2027, just like they did during the Otoge revolution? The Otoge movement took power in 2019 but struggled to manage themselves in power. The Otoge mantra people eventually parted ways with the governor. Who’s to blame the governor or the Otoge people?

Taking over power is one thing,having the knowledge and political will to manage it is another. Among those who fought for Otoge, some have passed away like Hon. Alajagusi and Baba Rex. Chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo and  Those who were at the forefront of the struggle for Otoge did not reap the fruits of their labor. One would say, is politics a business?

What rewards did they expect to reap? The fact remains that they risked their lives for the struggle.

The likes of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mallam Lukman Mustapha, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, Chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo, Hon, Saheed popoola and others . will Governor Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq defeat these individuals?

If the governor’s anointed candidate fails to win the next election, it may mark the end of his political career, and the Otoge mantra people would fight back.


It’s ironic that some politicians, despite their influential status, seem to lack electoral value and the willingness to connect with voters. However, any savvy politician knows that pushing people away is a surefire way to lose an election. In politics, numbers are everything, and having a strong support base is crucial for success.

A politician’s ability to canvas votes and build relationships with their constituents is essential for winning elections. It’s not just about having a strong message or platform, it’s about being able to connect with people and inspire them to vote for you.

In reality, elections are a numbers game, and politicians need to be able to mobilize support from a wide range of people to win. This means being able to listen to voters’ concerns, address their needs, and build trust with them. By doing so, politicians can build a strong foundation of support that will help them succeed at the polls.

Thus, the 2027 election is going to be the political battle of the governor’s career. May God spare our lives beyond 2027.

Otoge liberation has caused disagreements with those in government, with some labeling chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo as opposition agent, while others claim he wants to control the governor. One thing is certain  Chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo will fight tirelessly for what he believes in.

Having traveled extensively throughout Kwara State, I’ve made friends across the length and breadth of the state. I understand the citizens’ mindset  those with strong convictions and those with wavering minds. We know them.

One trait you can’t take away from a typical Isin man is their ability to fight for what they believe in. I’ve had two encounters that illustrate this. The first was with a fresh graduate who wrote a petition to the EFCC over a road project executed by a House of Reps member in 2008 in Isin.

To my surprise, he said he was inspired by my program on how citizens can write petitions to the EFCC on abandoned projects. I later assisted the EFCC officer investigating the petition with my professional advice. The same honorable member mobilized roadside contractors and executed the project. It was a remarkable turn of events.

Another encounter was with the Olusin of Ijara-Isin during my organization’s tour across the 193 wards in Kwara State. During our meeting with the Oba, I sought his support to meet with community-based organizations. However, the Oba was against it.

The community members were holding their meeting, and I was informed that they had been having disagreements with the Oba. Majority of them are elites who ensure their community gets the best of democracy. I eventually got the gist of what really transpired between them.

This shows that Chief Iyiola Akogun Oyedepo is someone who would hardly shy away from struggles for liberation. But how forceful is the KRM movement? Will KRM suffer defeat, just like SDP did during the last election? Will Governor Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq be defeated this time around? Time shall tell.



The fact remains that some Kwarans believe the Kwara Redemption Movement (KRM) and other aggrieved party members are fighting solely for their selfish interests. This perception likely contributed to the majority’s decision to vote against the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last election.

However, looking ahead to 2027, the current level of hardship facing our people is a glaring writing on the wall. Coupled with the outcome of the local government election, where Kwarans rejected the ruling party, it’s clear that if these hardships persist, the ruling APC will gradually lose support.

But, if the KRM and other aggrieved parties repeat their past mistakes, Governor Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq’s candidate will likely win, potentially allowing him to control the state for another eight years, much like former Senate President Saraki. Only time will tell, but if the governor’s candidate loses, it will be a tough pill to swallow for the governor and his political allies.

As I predicted in my article, “Who says GAA doesn’t know politics,” the outcome of the next election will be a testament to the political landscape of Kwara State.



May God Almighty spare our lives beyond the 2027 election, so we can witness the outcome. I vow to continue writing weekly in my Pentalk column, analyzing Kwara politics as events unfold, without bias towards any individual or group.

One question on everyone’s mind is whether Governor Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq’s performance is enough to secure a win for his anointed candidate in the 2027 Kwara State election. Thankfully, I’m well-equipped to answer this, given my access to information on Kwara State governance. I’ve personally tracked and  handover reports of  projects executed to Governor Abdulrasaq.

The truth is that Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq’s government has transformed Kwara State. Anyone visiting the state will see the numerous developmental projects he’s initiated. However, the major issue with his government is the lack of transparency and accountability. Public funds have been spent on projects without openness and citizen inclusiveness. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) have been denied access to project documents, making it difficult for them to track and take ownership of projects executed with their money.

Project details that should be publicly available on the website are instead being accessed through backdoors by civil society organizations. This lack of transparency not only portrays the government as corrupt but also as unaccountable. This is dangerous for those who supervised and made payments for the projects, as they may face consequences after leaving office.

It’s not too late for the government to correct these anomalies and allow for citizen inclusiveness. Will the Kwara Revival Movement (KRM) sweep all political posts in 2027, just like Otoge did in 2019? Only time will tell. Will Governor Abdulrahamon Abdulrasaq’s anointed candidate win in 2027? Again, time will tell. God bless Kwara State.



Signed

Comrade Mashood Lanrey Osho is a Human Right Activist Anti-corruption, Crusader, Author and public policy Analyst
11th of January,2025