The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, one of Nigeria’s major opposition political parties, has strongly criticised the administration of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over what it described as an alarming silence following an explosion in Offa, a major town in central Nigeria.
Okay News reports that the explosion occurred on Christmas night in Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area in Kwara State, a North Central state in Nigeria, triggering fear among residents and damaging properties in parts of the community.
The incident reportedly forced security agencies to cordon off affected areas as investigations began, leaving residents anxious and demanding clear information from the government regarding the cause and extent of the explosion.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, and signed by the Kwara State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olusegun Adewara, the opposition party accused the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led government of failing to address the public since the incident.
The party expressed sympathy with residents of Offa, business owners, affected communities, and the traditional ruler of the town, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye the First, following the frightening experience.
“It is unfortunate that while residents ran for their lives in fear and confusion, the state governor and his government were conspicuously missing in action, both physically and in communication,” the statement said.
According to the party, there had been no official explanation, no formal security briefing, no visible presence of government officials at the scene, and no message of reassurance to residents of Offa or other parts of Kwara State as at the time the statement was released.
“This dangerous vacuum of leadership has fuelled panic, rumours and widespread anxiety among innocent citizens,” the party added.
The Peoples Democratic Party argued that a responsible government would have immediately visited the affected area, conducted an on-the-spot assessment, and provided timely and accurate information to the public.
“Sadly, in Kwara today, citizens are abandoned to social media speculation because their government has failed in its most basic duty of providing leadership in times of crisis,” the statement further read.
The opposition party also described it as unacceptable that neither the governor nor officials of the state and local governments had visited Offa to identify with victims, adding that security agencies had also failed to adequately brief the public.
It characterised the situation as “irresponsible, insensitive and reckless governance,” especially during a festive period when citizens expect peace, safety, and reassurance from those in authority.
The party called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who currently serves as the Governor of Kwara State, to urgently return from Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, visit Offa, assess the situation firsthand, and provide support to affected residents.
“The governor must brief the people of Kwara on the true situation in Offa and convene a joint security clarification to put an end to the growing panic,” the statement said.
The Peoples Democratic Party concluded that the people of Offa deserved truth, protection, and decisive leadership at such a critical moment rather than continued silence.
