Kolo Jiya: AbdulRazaq’s Anointed Candidates are the Worst Kwara North has to Offer

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara North, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, has described candidates allegedly handpicked by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for elective positions in the district as among the “worst” Kwara North has to offer.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara North, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, has described candidates allegedly handpicked by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for elective positions in the district as among the “worst” Kwara North has to offer.

 

Kolo Jiya alleged that the candidates lack the competence and grassroots acceptance required to represent the district, claiming that some of them could not even win their own polling units.

He spoke at the official launch of The Otógẹ́ Progressives (TOP) Rainbow Coalition at AMBA Open Space, Audi Road, Fate, Ilorin.

According to him, the calibre of candidates allegedly promoted by the governor raises questions about his commitment to the development and political advancement of Kwara North.

“They gave those that are not competent tickets to lead us. That means they don’t want Kwara North to develop,” Kolo Jiya said.

He argued that if AbdulRazaq genuinely wanted the best for the district, he would not elevate his preferred candidates above established political figures such as former Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar and Alhaji Adamu Manko, among others.

Kolo Jiya said Kwara North has several experienced and politically grounded leaders capable of providing quality representation, questioning why such individuals were overlooked for candidates he described as lacking electoral strength and value.

“Some of these people cannot even win their polling units. If you truly love Kwara North, why would you impose them on us when we have competent and experienced people?” he asked.

He also challenged the AbdulRazaq administration to account for its record in the district after more than seven years in office.

“What has the government done in Kwara North in the last seven years?” he asked.

Kolo Jiya maintained that the people of the district must resist political arrangements that, according to him, sacrifice competence and development for personal political interests.

“We are not going to sell Kwara North,” he declared.

He said the district needs representatives with the capacity, political relationships and understanding required to attract federal projects and effectively articulate the interests of the people at the National Assembly.

TOP, a coalition of political stakeholders formerly known as the Kwara APC G15, has endorsed Kolo Jiya’s senatorial ambition as part of its cross-party strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kolo Jiya pledged to prioritise development and effective representation if elected, urging residents of Kwara North to judge candidates on competence, credibility and their ability to deliver rather than merely on party affiliation.

 

Earlier, former Senator representatives of the Kwara Central,  Yahaya Oloriegbe addressed the crowd saying that those leaving the party are doing so to achieve their political ambition and ensure the salvation of the state from incompetent candidate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq imposed on the party.

 

According to him, the G15 has resolved to ensure that no candidate imposed on them by Governor AbdulRazaq return or win in 2027.

 

He urged the supporters of the G15 to work hard to ensure landslide victory for President Bola Ahmed and in the state and all the  candidates of the G15.

 

He said the relaunch of The Otoge Progressives (TOP) becomes very imperative to put an end to imposition of candidates in the state, sating that the G15 has all the elders of the party on their sides.

 

Others who addressed the crowd at the rally included, Senator Mustapha Saliu, Barrister Jawondo SAN,  Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen among others.