The Kwara State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described as false, preposterous and unfortunate claim by the Kwara State Government that it did not attack nor demolish any house belonging to old people known as Ile Arugbo.
In a statement by its State Chairman, Hon. (Engr) Kola Shittu, the party said the fasle claim by the State Government is an assault on hundreds of innocent aged people including women and widows usually converge on the building to receive their welfare packages.
“The party notes that every Kwaran and even people outside the State know that Ile Arugbo was built many years ago by the late Olushola Saraki for aged people; to cater to their needs by providing them food, clothings, cash gifts and healthcare services.
“This is what the building was used for during the lifetime of Baba Saraki and which has been sustained by his son, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as directed by the father before his demise in 2012. This is a demonstration of Baba Oloye’s selflessness and uncommon compassion towards the masses.
“It is, therefore false, preposterous and unfortunate for the Kwara State Government to claim that Ile Arugbo was used to for political gatherings and not for social welfare programme for the aged.
“The dubious claim by the Kwara State Government as contained in the statement signed by its Commissioner for Communications is a reflection of the disdain the present government has for aged people and the downtrodden of the society. No responsible or compassionate leader will direct the demolition of a welfare home for the people.
“We therefore urge the State Government to stop churning out reprehensible, false claims and cheap propaganda to cover its act of vindictiveness and tyranny. The Governor should instead offer public apology for the attack on innocent Kwarans including aged women during the demolition of Ile Arugbo.
“The Kwara PDP and in fact, Kwarans are curious and alarmed by the claim by the Kwara State Police Command that it never deployed its men for the demolition exercise and was not involved in the shooting and firing of teargas canisters at unarmed protesters.
“What this simply means is that Kwara is no longer safe, as any group of people in security outfits and vehicles could storm anywhere within the State to attack innocent people and get away with it.
“It is on this note we call on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to tell the public how and where he got the police officers he used to perpetrate evil against innocent people. Kwarans want to know those individuals who fired live bullets and teargas at innocent and defenceless aged women during the demolition of Ile Arugbo in the wee hours of last Thursday.
“The Kwara PDP therefore, urges the State Police Command to carry out thorough investigation into this matter if it wants Kwarans to believe it truly had no hand in the barbaric attack on innocent Kwarans.”
