Founding leaders of the Otoge Movement in Kwara State have criticised the G15 group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing it of attempting to appropriate the identity and legacy of the movement for political interests.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the leaders said the Otoge Movement was a people-driven struggle championed by millions of Kwarans seeking accountable leadership, development and improved living standards, stressing that no individual or political group could claim exclusive ownership of the movement.
The group said it was concerned by what it described as the G15’s criticism of APC leadership decisions, rejection of the outcome of the party’s primaries and threats to explore other political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
The founding leaders also faulted the G15’s petition to President Bola Tinubu, arguing that its warning about the possible impact of unresolved grievances on APC’s electoral fortunes amounted to political blackmail.
They said such actions were inconsistent with the values of loyalty, sacrifice and collective responsibility that defined the Otoge struggle.
The statement read in part: “The Otoge movement was not created to serve the ambitions of politicians. It was a historic, people-driven movement championed by millions of Kwarans, home and abroad, who voted for accountable leadership, development, and better life outcomes.”
The leaders further accused some members of the G15 of changing their position on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration after their political ambitions were not achieved, saying their actions raised questions about the motive behind their campaign.
They also compared the recent #KwaraNdupe rally organised by APC supporters with the G15 gathering, claiming the former attracted thousands of party members and stakeholders, while describing the latter as a political outing.
The founding leaders maintained that internal disagreements within the APC should be resolved through dialogue, party structures and reconciliation rather than public campaigns and threats.
They reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the APC leadership and the party’s candidates, insisting that the Otoge Movement remained a collective struggle built on service, courage and commitment.
“The Otoge movement remains a people’s movement. It was built on courage, consistency, loyalty, and service, not personal ambition. Those who seek to invoke its name must first demonstrate fidelity to its values,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by 38 founding leaders of the Otoge Movement: Hon Raji Atolagbe Muhammad, Alhaji Rahim Alamoyo, Alhaji Issa Amosa Afon, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, Prof. Abdulraheem Sheu Adaramaja, Alhaji Mustapha Kobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji, Alhaji Baba Alapa, Alhaji Rasaq Jiddah, Alhaji Abdulganiu Cook Olododo, Alhaji Illiasu AbdulRahman, Alhaji Saadu Salau, Alhaji Abdullah Ahmed Sabi, Alhaji Ali Aliyu Mohamed, Alhaji Saadu Laaro, Elder Abodunrin kolade Julius, Mohammed Abdullahi Ndako, Baba Santali, Mohamed Abdulrahman Wali, Hon Ismaila Haliru
Shehu Jibril, Umar Madiu Abubakar, Alh Tajudeen Adesina, Hon Femi Agbaje Whyte, Chief Michael Iyanda, Mrs Adefila G. O, Alhaji Kareem Owolabi, Luku Ojo, Chief Toyin Dada, Engr. Benjamin Oyeyemi, Aliu Olayinka Theophilus, Benjamin Ayanshola, Hon.Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe, Olaitan Bashir Ibrahim, Hon Sodiq Hameed, Dr Solomon Olaegin, Alhaja Aminat Gbolasere (iya EWe), Wosilat Idowu (Iya Alado).
