The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the alleged spending of N2 billion on foreign trips amid the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.
The PDP claimed that the numerous foreign trips undertaken during the first nine months of the year have yet to attract any foreign investment to the state.
In a statement obtained by Investors King and signed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the party described the spending as wasteful, especially given the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
Adewara stated, “It is unfortunate and thoughtless that a governor would waste public funds on frequent foreign travels when most of his people are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship.”
The PDP highlighted the severe impact of economic hardship on civil servants, pensioners, and the state’s youth, stressing that the funds spent on foreign trips could have been better utilized to address these pressing issues.
Adewara continued, “Civil servants in the state are earning far below a living wage. Many have tragically lost their lives due to their inability to meet basic needs. Pensioners are left in despair, and the state’s youth remain unemployed, while funds that could have addressed these challenges are frivolously squandered on foreign junkets.”
“It is unfortunate that, instead of addressing the state’s pressing needs, the governor is undermining the informal sector, the bedrock of Kwara’s economy, by destroying local businesses under the guise of urban renewal projects,” he added.
The PDP condemned the governor for neglecting the plight of Kwara residents and prioritizing foreign trips, which have yet to yield any tangible results.
Adewara called on residents to hold the government accountable. He said, “The governor’s penchant for useless foreign travels raises concerns about his priorities. It demonstrates he is more interested in funding personal adventures than addressing the critical needs of the people. This shows he is disconnected from the plight of the average Kwaran.”
As of the time of filing this report, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration had not responded or issued any official statement regarding the allegations made by the PDP.