Kwara PDP Youths Demand Security, Jobs, Accountability
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the state government to provide measurable results in security, employment, education and accountability, declaring that the youths would no longer be satisfied with political promises and slogans.
The demand was made by the PDP Youth Leader, Olori-Odo Adio Odunjo Obbo-Ile, on Wednesday in Ilorin at a press conference organised to mark the 2026 International Youth Day.
Speaking under the theme, “Kwara Youths Will Not Be Silent: Demanding Security, Accountability, Opportunity and Responsible Governance,” Odunjo said young people have a democratic responsibility to question government policies and demand answers on issues affecting their future.
According to him, the press conference was not intended to promote confrontation or political violence but to encourage responsible leadership and constructive engagement.
“As the opposition party in Kwara State, we have a constitutional and democratic responsibility to ask questions, demand answers, identify gaps and present alternatives. Where government performs well, we will acknowledge it. Where there are gaps, we will raise them. And where our people suffer, we will speak,” he said.
The PDP youth leader said the security situation in the State remained a major concern, particularly the February 2026 attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, where more than 160 people were reportedly killed and scores abducted.
He commended the security agencies for the recent rescue of 163 residents of Woro who had spent about six months in captivity, describing the operation as a significant achievement, while urging authorities to ensure that the rescue was followed by rehabilitation, justice and measures capable of preventing a recurrence.
“We commend our security forces for this successful operation. But while we celebrate their rescue, we must also ask difficult questions. How did an attack of such magnitude happen? What early-warning mechanisms were available? What intelligence existed concerning threats around Woro, Nuku and neighbouring communities?” he asked.
Odunjo said the PDP was not blaming Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the Woro tragedy, noting that internal security was constitutionally dominated by the federal security agencies.
“Our concern is with state-level coordination, early warning, community protection, intelligence sharing, advocacy and the effectiveness of the mechanisms available to the state government in working with federal security agencies,” he said.
He also recalled the November 2025 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, where 38 worshippers were reportedly abducted and three people killed.
While commending security agencies for the subsequent arrest of suspects allegedly linked to the attack and other criminal activities, he maintained that government must focus more on preventing attacks than merely responding after they occur.
“Arresting criminals after an attack is not enough. Our ultimate objective must be prevention,” he said, calling for intelligence-led policing, surveillance, rapid response, community engagement and effective early-warning systems.
On education, Odunjo expressed concern over the temporary closure of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, following security concerns, saying prolonged disruptions to education could have serious consequences for young people.
He urged the government to provide a clear timetable and security plan for reopening affected institutions, alongside academic support for students who have lost learning time.
“Security is education policy. Security is youth policy. Security is economic policy. When a young person cannot safely attend school, the consequences extend far beyond the classroom. It affects their future, their family and ultimately the future of Kwara State,” he said.
The PDP youth leader also called for greater transparency in the management of public resources, urging the state government to make contract and procurement information easily accessible to citizens.
He said citizens should be able to know the contractors handling public projects, contract values, locations, completion deadlines, amounts paid and the level of implementation.
“Transparency does not weaken government. Transparency strengthens public confidence,” he said.
On workers’ welfare, Odunjo called for continued dialogue between the government and organised labour over concerns surrounding teachers’ allowances and alleged delays in salary payments.
He acknowledged the government’s explanation that teachers were covered by a separate Teachers Specific Allowance structure, while urging authorities to ensure that teachers’ welfare remained a priority.
“Our teachers are responsible for educating the next generation. Their welfare cannot be treated as an afterthought,” he said.
Addressing the disagreement over alleged outstanding May and June 2026 salaries, he urged both the government and labour unions to make evidence available, stressing that workers deserved certainty and timely payment rather than political controversy.
“If the government says salaries have been paid, the relevant evidence should be made available. Where organised labour maintains that workers remain unpaid, the necessary evidence should equally be provided. Kwarans do not need political drama over salary payments. They need certainty, transparency and their salaries paid on time,” he said.
The PDP youth leader subsequently presented a seven-point agenda covering security, education, employment, transparency, rural development, youth participation and accountability.
He demanded a comprehensive state-community security and early-warning framework for vulnerable communities, clear reopening plans for schools affected by insecurity, and a verifiable youth employment and empowerment programme showing beneficiaries and measurable outcomes.
He also called for greater investment in rural roads, electricity, healthcare, water and agricultural infrastructure, as well as increased participation of young people in policy formulation, budgeting and development planning.
Odunjo urged the government to ensure that major programmes had measurable targets and publicly reported results.
He also challenged young Kwarans to become more actively involved in governance rather than limiting their political participation to election periods.
“Young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow. We are stakeholders today. We have a right to participate. We have a right to ask questions. We have a right to demand accountability and we have a responsibility to contribute constructively to the development of our state,” he said.
As the 2027 political activities gather momentum, Odunjo warned political parties and aspirants against taking the youth vote for granted.
“As we approach another electoral cycle, let every political party, every aspirant and every public official understand one thing: Kwara youth will not be satisfied with slogans.
“We will demand policies. We will demand programmes. We will demand performance. We will demand results.”
He called on the government to work with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organisations, civil society groups and federal security agencies to develop a stronger security framework for the state.
The PDP youth leader concluded by expressing solidarity with victims of insecurity across Kwara, particularly communities affected by the Woro, Nuku and Eruku attacks, while commending security personnel for their sacrifices.
He said the party’s youth wing would continue to demand responsible governance peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
“We want a Kwara where people are safe, where young people have opportunities, where public resources are transparent, where government is accountable and where leadership is measured by results,” he said.
The press conference was held at the PDP State Secretariat in Ilorin on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as part of activities marking International Youth Day.
