Ibraheem Abdullateef
It looks like Kwara PDP PRO Olusegun Adewara Sholyment is now working for the Kwara State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC), inadvertently. The scope and quality of his press statements have helped to promote and edify the policies and decisions of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq more often than not, even if he thought he was attacking him.
Take, for instance, today’s own. Sholyment has rushed to write in acknowledgement of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s approval of another 8.1bn to pay the gratuities of state and local government retirees in Kwara.
This follows the N4bn released in January 2025 for the same purpose.
Since 2019, this administration has paid 20bn in gratuities in total — apart from the new approval. A vast amount of these funds was used to defray backlogs inherited from the previous administration.
The above shows that gratuities are gradually cleared but in phases because of other obligations, including the much-acknowledged building of several developmental projects across the state.
Like every Kwaran, Sholyment and his PDP folks are happy to witness the impact of a responsible and caring government steadily addressing critical issues of governance to improve the quality of life of the citizens. But in order to save face, he would claim that the Governor has taken action merely because of the criticism of a Bishop Isreal Amoo, who was himself, a staunch appointee of successive PDP-led administrations in Kwara.
Assuming without conceding this claim, how does that take anything away from the altruistic decision of the people’s Governor? It would rather further raise his stock as a democratic, humble, and patriotic leader who places high value on the feedback of the citizens regardless of their political leanings.
This shows his difference from the tone-deaf, obstinate, insensitive leaders who racked up the pension and gratuities arrears in the first place.
These were Senator Bukola Saraki and Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed between 2003 and 2019. They defaulted in paying pension and gratuities for retirees, but awarded themselves humongous packages as their own pension benefits.
We do not owe Bishop Amoo any apology. If Sholyment were to be fair, he should be helping the former governors from his party to draft one to Amoo and entire Kwarans for failing to prioritise the welfare of workers when they held sway. He should also encourage them to be thankful for the grace of a more competent and magnanimous predecessor who helps them to wipe their dirty behind.
The Governor’s approval, obviously, is beyond the comedy of that fact-free assertion at Oke-Onigbin that led to a deluge of more horrendous revisionist takes on gratuities and pension arrears in Kwara. It is inherent in his belief for probity, prudence, and respect for workers, as seen in the prompt payment of salaries, clearance of promotional exercises, and historic implementation of minimum wage twice in office.
Or, may I ask, who will PDP give the credits and ‘apologies’ for these? š
I recognise PDP’s profound lack of discernment that this is another moment of thanksgiving for the senior citizens for their trust in politics that works in 2019.
I wager that even Bishop Isreal Amoo now shares in this beautiful moment of fulfilment in dreams and possibilities under a purposeful government, which is held by Kwarans of all classes, who elected to vote Governor AbdulRazaq into office to clean the mess that had been made of our state. I commend their bravery, patience, and continued faith in his leadership.
However, the Governor also does not expect any gratitude from Bishop Amoo or the PDP for yet another action in cleaning the Augean stables. He simply did his job.
He would rather take pride in the joy and happiness with which thousands of people have received the announcement since yesterday. It is noted as a referendum in the governor’s style of progressive leadership that places the people first.
We hear you, Kwarans. We hear you. š
āAbdullateef is Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Communication
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