In a dramatic turn of events, the political rift between Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, has taken a new twist with the governor ordering the demolition of a building complex owned by Mustapha.
The decision, which was swiftly carried out, has intensified the ongoing dispute between the two political figures, leading to heightened tensions within the state’s political landscape.
The demolition order was executed on Sunday evening, around 7 p.m., after Governor AbdulRazaq issued a three-hour eviction notice for the occupants of the complex.
The structure, located on Ahmadu Bello Way in Ilorin, was barricaded by police officers, ensuring the demolition proceeded without disruption. The short notice and the immediate commencement of the demolition have raised eyebrows, with critics arguing that the decision was politically motivated.
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Hon. Moshood Mustapha, a former member of the House of Representatives and a prominent APC leader, accused Governor AbdulRazaq of using his position to settle political scores.
Mustapha, who is currently out of the country on a business trip in the Netherlands, expressed his dismay at the sudden action, describing it as an unjust and unlawful attack on his property.
In a statement released after the demolition began, Mustapha alleged that the governor’s actions were rooted in personal animosity stemming from a political disagreement.
According to him, the rift started when he decided to withdraw his support for AbdulRazaq due to dissatisfaction with his leadership style. Mustapha accused the governor of running a “one-man show” and marginalizing other APC members who had supported him during the 2019 elections.
Mustapha further claimed that the governor’s behavior had alienated many within the party, leading to a decline in the APC’s popularity in the state.
He referenced the results of the recent local government elections, noting that opposition parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had gained ground while the APC struggled.
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“I informed the governor that I could no longer support his administration, and he has responded by threatening to destroy my businesses,” Mustapha said. He emphasized that the demolition of his complex was part of a broader campaign to silence his political opposition.
Despite the government’s defense, Mustapha and his supporters view the demolition as part of a broader pattern of political intimidation. In a video statement, Mustapha lamented the use of state resources and law enforcement agencies to target him for opposing the governor’s leadership.
“They gave my tenants only three hours to vacate the premises, even though all documents for the property are valid and approved by the Town Planning Development Authority,” Mustapha said. He accused the governor of misusing his powers and vowed to take legal action to seek redress.
Mustapha also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and other national leaders to intervene, asserting that the actions of the Kwara State government represented a threat to democracy and the rule of law.