A prominent coalition of foundational stakeholders and founding leaders of the historic Otoge Movement in Kwara State has strongly rebuked the disgruntled group of politicians known as the “G15,” accusing them of attempting to hijack the legacy of the liberation struggle for personal political gains.
The elder statesmen and party leaders handed down the reprimand during a joint press briefing in Ilorin on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The Otoge leaders expressed deep disappointment over a recent petition sent by the G15 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. In the petition, the aggrieved primary election losers threatened that the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, including the President’s 2027 re-election prospects, would be jeopardized if their narrow demands were not met.
The founding leaders strongly condemned the move, describing it as a desperate act of political blackmail that completely contradicts the selflessness and collective sacrifice that birthed the progressive political revolution in Kwara State.
“The Otoge movement was not created to serve the ambitions of politicians. It was a historic, people-driven movement championed by millions of Kwarans who voted for accountable leadership. It is astonishing that a group whose recent public actions have questioned the decisions of the APC leadership, criticized the primaries, and openly threatened to abandon the party now seeks to present itself as the custodian of the Otoge legacy. You cannot threaten President Tinubu with electoral consequences today because of your personal interests and expect Nigerians to believe you are defending the movement,” the leaders stated.
The coalition further criticized the G15 leaders for orchestrating a smear campaign against Executive Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON. They noted the hypocrisy of the faction leaders, pointing out that many of them had consistently praised the Governor’s exceptional infrastructural and socio-economic developmental strides until their personal ambitions failed to materialize in the May 2026 party primaries.
Drawing a contrast between recent events in the state capital, the signatories stated that while thousands of genuine APC members peacefully converged for the massive #KwaraNdupe Rally to celebrate the landmarks of President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq, the G15’s counter-gathering was merely a transient political photo opportunity organized by Abuja-based politicians.
The elders also frowned upon the faction’s failed attempt to force an unscheduled audience at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR. They emphasized that revered traditional institutions must be respected and that political expediency should never override centuries-old palace protocol.
Reaffirming their absolute, unalloyed loyalty to President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, and the Prince Sunday Fagbemi-led State Working Committee, the founding leaders urged all aggrieved members to lay down their arms.
They advised the G15 to channel their grievances through the newly established State Reconciliation Committee headed by Retired Colonel AbdulWahab Ademola Lawal, warning that public threats, hostile media campaigns, and divisive rhetoric would only weaken the ruling party’s formidable front ahead of the 2027 polls.
Full List of 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 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)