Between Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and His Deputy, Kayode Alabi

It is no secret that the Nigerian political arena is currently seeing a lot of makeshift gladiators relentlessly bashing into one another. From Council-area Chairpersons to constituency representatives, Governors and exalted party Chairmen.

The trend has taken many forms in Kwara State, but has always managed to involve the Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. This time, if the reports are true, then even the Kwara State Deputy Governor is oiling his club to confront AbdulRazaq.

According to the reports coming from Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his Deputy, Kayode Alabi have gotten into one pair of trousers. News bearers have it that bitterness and ill will has been festering between the two top citizens of Kwara State and this is only an opportune time to let it all out.

The pincer in the report comes from the allegation that it is Governor AbdulRazaq who is in an inferior position and therefore goes out of his way to avoid Deputy Governor Alabi. Usually, it is the other way around but Kwara State has always been unique in many regards. Last time, the reports were about a Kwara State Governor who dared to go against party members at the national leadership level. This time, the reports are about a Deputy Governor who can and continues to suppress his boss.

It was not so long ago that Alabi celebrated his 58th birthday, a time during which Governor AbdulRazaq hailed him as “a cerebral politician with dynamic ideas, an amiable personality, and a trusted partner in the Kwara project.” Greater praises have rarely been rendered before. So, where is the enmity coming from? How did they go from trusted partners to adversaries?

Then again, other folks have reported that there is no such rancour between Governor AbdulRazaq and Alabi. No matter. Time will tell.