Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe on the statements credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senate President Bukola Saraki on the 2018 bloody Offa bank robbery incident, describing their reactions to the ongoing legal process on the case as unnecessary political drama and an attempt to distort established facts.
Addressing journalists on Saturday in Ilorin, the state capital, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, said Saraki and the PDP should not be disturbed if they are confident of their innocence, stressing that “the court deals with evidence and facts, not dramatic statements aimed at rewriting history.”
The party urged Saraki to allow the judicial process to run its course rather than resorting to media exchanges. “Rather than engage in attacks and emotional outbursts, he should face his trial and allow the court to determine guilt or otherwise,” the Publicity Secretary said.
Reacting to Saraki’s denial of any connection to the convicted persons in the Offa robbery case, the APC described the claim as “unconvincing,” insisting that available testimonies and court records would be examined when proceedings continue in June.
“The denial is laughable and does not align with available evidence. The testimonies presented, including those of key individuals such as Yusuf Abdulwahab and Ayo Akinnibosun, will speak for themselves in court,” the party stated, adding that “only the judiciary can determine the truth of the matter.”
The APC also dismissed allegations of political persecution, saying the state government’s decision to allow legal processes to proceed should be commended rather than criticised.
According to the party, “those convicted have made claims regarding how weapons and logistics were obtained. This is already part of court records, and it is important that Nigerians allow the judicial process to uncover the full truth.”
On governance, the party contrasted the current administration with the previous political structure in the state, praising Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what it described as visible developmental achievements.
“While the PDP continues to dwell on 2018 through press statements, Governor AbdulRazaq is focused on delivering infrastructure, upgrading schools and healthcare facilities, constructing roads, and ensuring timely payment of salaries and pensions,” the APC said.
It added that the present administration is committed to transparency and development without “sharing public resources among political godfathers or empowering criminal networks.”
The party further insisted that no amount of media commentary would stop the judicial process, warning against attempts to generate public sympathy outside the courtroom.
“Now that charges have been filed, the appropriate place for clarification is the court, not social media or press conferences. No one is above the law,” the statement added.
The APC urged the PDP and Saraki to focus on constructive political engagement rather than what it described as “reopening painful memories of a tragedy that affected many families in the state.”
It reaffirmed its support for ongoing security and governance reforms in Kwara State, saying the administration remains committed to justice, development, and public welfare despite political distractions.
