Thousands of supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday marched through major streets of Ilorin, Kwara State, as the Kwara APC G15 formally relaunched the OTOGE movement, declaring a renewed commitment to the political ideals that ended the Saraki political dynasty in the state in 2019.
The coalition said the renewed movement was aimed at addressing what it described as the abandonment of the original OTOGE principles by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The G15 coalition comprises 10 leading APC governorship aspirants, the state’s three serving senators, a majority of APC members in the National Assembly, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, the party’s Elders Caucus, youth and women leaders, and other stakeholders.
The solidarity walk commenced at the Geri-Alimi Underpass, passed through the Emir’s Palace and terminated at the Post Office in Ilorin, attracting thousands of party supporters.
Addressing the crowd, leaders of the coalition said the large turnout reflected growing dissatisfaction within the APC in Kwara and demonstrated that the ideals of the OTOGE movement remained alive.
In a statement issued after the procession, the coalition disclosed that it had recently held consultations in Abuja with senior APC stakeholders and national party leaders on the future of the party in Kwara, the state’s political direction and the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The group said the consultations led to a decision to prioritise the unity of the party and the interest of Kwara State above individual political ambitions.
The coalition maintained that the OTOGE movement was founded on the principles of ending exclusion, impunity, political domination and poor governance, but alleged that those ideals had gradually been abandoned.
It also accused the state government of centralising governance and party administration, insisting that Kwara deserved inclusive leadership that accommodates diverse interests.
Despite its criticism of the state government, the coalition reaffirmed its loyalty to President Tinubu and pledged continued support for his administration.
The group, however, urged the President and the National Working Committee of the APC to ensure that future leadership in Kwara reflects the wishes of the majority of party members.
It also presented a 10-point demand, calling for transparent party administration, credible primary elections, merit-based succession, an end to political godfatherism, protection of dissenting voices, accountable governance, genuine reconciliation within the party and an urgent review of the state’s security strategy.
The coalition further rejected what it described as attempts by a minority within the party to impose its preferences on the majority, insisting that democratic leadership must reflect the will of party members.
Also speaking, Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, urged Governor AbdulRazaq to embrace fairness, inclusion and internal democracy, warning that political structures built on exclusion and imposition rarely endure.
Other APC leaders at the rally included Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari, Senator Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Senator Lola Ashiru, Senator Umar Suleiman Sadiq, Barrister Dele Belgore (SAN), Alhaji Tajudeen Audu, Hon. Omar Muhammed Bio, Dr. Oluwatoyin Tajudeen Alabi, Dr. Azeez Salako Muideen Olaniyi, Captain Ahmad Mahmud, Hon. Yinka Aluko and Hon. Ismail Tijani, among others.
