Kwara PDP Attempting Coup Against Democracy — Must Be Rejected.

Bisi Kristien

An opinion article by public affairs commentator Bisi Kristien has strongly criticised the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, describing the move as an attempt to undermine democratic governance.

In the piece, Kristien argues that the PDP’s position raises serious questions about the party’s motives, particularly against the backdrop of rising insecurity in parts of Kwara. He contends that the opposition party has consistently circulated what he describes as misleading narratives on security challenges in the state, while hastily directing blame at Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration.

According to the writer, the call for a state of emergency represents a significant escalation that warrants public scrutiny. He asserts that Kwara State, historically known as the “State of Harmony,” had for years recorded minimal farmer-herder conflicts compared to other parts of the country, making the recent surge in attacks both troubling and, in his view, suspicious.

Kristien further maintains that the timing and intensity of the PDP’s campaign suggest political motivations rather than genuine concern for public safety. He argues that Kwarans, particularly those who supported the current administration and claim to be witnessing what he terms “dividends of good governance,” are justified in questioning whether the call for emergency rule is aimed at destabilising the state and weakening an APC-led government through non-electoral means.

In the opinion article, the author insists that there is no constitutional or operational necessity for a state of emergency to address security threats in Kwara. He notes that existing security frameworks, if fully deployed, are sufficient to confront criminal elements in forests and vulnerable communities without suspending democratic structures.

Kristien concludes by warning that the posture adopted by the Kwara PDP has, in his assessment, gone beyond the bounds of responsible opposition. He describes the call for emergency rule as an “attempted political coup against democracy” and urges Kwarans to reject it, stressing that the public is alert to the implications of such demands and determined to protect democratic governance in the state.