We, Founding Leaders of the Otoge Movement, have watched with deep concern the recent attempts by a certain G15 group to appropriate the identity and legacy of the Otoge movement while simultaneously engaging in actions that we believe undermine the very principles upon which the movement was built.
The Otoge movement was not created to serve the ambitions of politicians. It was a historic, people-driven movement championed by millions of Kwarans, home and abroad, who voted for accountable leadership, development, and better life outcomes. No individual, pressure group, or political bloc can lay exclusive claim to that collective struggle.
It is therefore astonishing that a group whose recent public actions have questioned the decisions of the APC leadership, criticised the outcome of the party’s primaries, and openly suggested the possibility of abandoning the party now seeks to present itself as the custodian of the Otoge legacy.
We are particularly disturbed by the group’s petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in which it warned that if its grievances were not addressed to their own satisfaction, the electoral fortunes of the APC in Kwara, including the President’s re-election prospects, would be jeopardised. The petition further suggested that many of its members could seek alternative political platforms in 2027.
Such language amounts to political blackmail and is completely inconsistent with the ideals of loyalty, sacrifice, and collective responsibility that defined the Otoge movement. You cannot threaten President Tinubu with electoral consequences today because of your own interests and expect Nigerians to believe you are defending the movement that brought progressive politics to Kwara.
The Otoge movement is for all Kwarans who remained committed to the struggle before, during, and after the 2019 elections.
We also find it instructive that many of those now leading the G15 had publicly praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and acknowledged his administration’s developmental achievements until their personal political ambitions were not realised. Their sudden change of position raises legitimate questions about the real motive behind their campaign.
The contrast between the recent #KwaraNdupe Rally and the G15 gathering speaks for itself. While thousands of APC members, supporters, and stakeholders peacefully converged to celebrate the achievements of President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the APC, culminating in an official visit to the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace for royal blessings, the G15’s outing was largely characterised by leaders who travelled into Ilorin for what appeared to be little more than a political photo opportunity before returning to Abuja.
It is equally noteworthy that the group’s attempt to gain access to the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace did not materialise because established palace protocol requires official visits to be properly scheduled in advance. Institutions deserve respect, and political expediency should never override long-established traditions.
We are also concerned by the increasingly hostile rhetoric directed at Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and campaign materials suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is “trading with Kwara.” Such narratives are divisive, disrespectful to the leadership of our great party, and capable of weakening the unity required to consolidate the gains already recorded.
As founding leaders of the Otoge movement, we reiterate that disagreements within the APC should be addressed through the party’s constitutional mechanisms, dialogue, mutual respect, and reconciliation, not through public threats, media campaigns, or actions capable of undermining the party and its leadership.
We reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, the national leadership of the APC, and all duly nominated candidates of our great party.
The Otoge movement remains a people’s movement. It was built on courage, consistency, loyalty, and service, not personal ambition. Those who seek to invoke its name must first demonstrate fidelity to its values.
Signatories:
1. Hon Raji Atolagbe Muhammad
2. Alhaji Rahim Alamoyo
3. Alhaji Issa Amosa Afon
4. Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa
5. Prof. Abdulraheem Sheu Adaramaja
6. Alhaji Mustapha kobe
7. Alhaji Ibrahim mogaji
8. Alhaji Baba Alapa
9. Alhaji Rasaq Jiddah
10. Alhaji Abdulganiu Cook Olododo
11. Alhaji Illiasu Abdulrahman
12. Alhaji Saadu Salau
13. Alhaji Abdullah Ahmed Sabi
14. Alhaji Ali Aliyu Mohamed
15. Alhaji Saadu Laaro
16. Elder Abodunrin kolade Julius
17. Mohammed Abdullahi Ndako
18. Baba Santali
19. Mohamed Abdulrahman Wali
20. Hon Ismaila Haliru
21. Shehu Jibril
22. Umar Madiu Abubakar
23. Alh Tajudeen Adesina
24. Hon Femi Agbaje Whyte
25. Chief Michael Iyanda
26. Mrs Adefila G. O
27. Alhaji Kareem Owolabi
28. Luku Ojo
29. Chief Toyin Dada
30. Engr. Benjamin Oyeyemi
31. Aliu Olayinka Theophilus
32. Benjamin Ayanshola
33. Hon.Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe
34. Olaitan Bashir Ibrahim
35. Hon Sodiq Hameed
36. Dr Solomon Olaegin
37. Alhaja Aminat Gbolasere (iya EWe)
38. Wosilat Idowu (Iya Alado)