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By Abdullahi Ahmed
The Kwara South G7 has held a political hangout in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, to deliberate on insecurity and strengthen political cooperation across the senatorial district.
The Kwara South G7 comprises seven local government areas — Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Offa, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oyun, and Isin.
The event, held at the Omu-Aran City Complex Hall on Sunday, attracted political stakeholders, community leaders, and youth representatives who discussed pressing security, political, and developmental challenges facing the region.
In his welcome address, the chief host and leader of the G7, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, said the hangout was conceived as a platform for dialogue and collective action toward peace, unity, and good governance.
He noted that the region could only thrive if leaders and citizens worked together beyond party lines.
According to Olanrewaju, the G7 initiative was born out of patriotic concern over the district’s declining political cohesion and rising insecurity.
“Our people are living in fear. Communities have suffered repeated attacks, and our farms and roads are no longer safe,” he lamented, calling for a minute of silence in honour of victims of insecurity.
He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to tackling criminality, and Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, for raising the insecurity issue at the National Assembly, describing both as evidence of renewed attention to the plight of the people of Kwara South.
Outlining the objectives of the G7, Olanrewaju said the group seeks to promote unity, development, and political consciousness among the people.
“We are not for anyone or against anyone. Our goal is to redirect the political mindset of our people towards peace, progress, and collective advancement,” he stated.
He emphasized that the group remains committed to working with the state government and relevant institutions to tackle security challenges and foster inclusiveness in governance.
“Our strength lies in collaboration and grassroots mobilization. We must engage constructively and prepare for the future with one voice,” he added.
Prince Olanrewaju reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the party as the “natural political DNA” of the Yoruba people of Kwara South.
He urged members to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while supporting competent candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We must support leaders with integrity and proven performance. Kwara South will never again be treated as an option in political calculations,” he declared.
Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju paid glowing tribute to past political icons of Kwara South — including Chief J.S. Olawoyin, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, and Chief J.T. Obaoye — describing them as beacons of progressive politics.
“Kwara South deserves the best. If we think Kwara South first in all our pursuits, we will achieve greatness together,” he concluded.
Delivering his lecture, guest speaker, Barrister Femi Falade of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, stressed that politics remains central to addressing the region’s security and development issues.
“We must get it right politically because leadership emerges through political means. Elected leaders must not play politics with security — protecting lives and property is their primary duty,” he said.
Barrister Falade identified money politics, godfatherism, and youth marginalization as major obstacles to inclusive leadership.
He called for decisive government action on insecurity and youth empowerment, urging citizens to harness their human and natural resources for regional development.
“What we are facing is not a problem but a challenge. We have great minds at home and abroad — let’s unite to reclaim our forests and create opportunities for our people,” he urged.
Speaking with journalists, Senator Oyelola Ashiru emphasized that insecurity in Kwara South could be significantly reduced through coordinated local government action.
“Security is everyone’s business. The state must empower local authorities and vigilante networks to strengthen grassroots intelligence and protection,” he said.
Also speaking, Professor Wale Sulaiman, a neurosurgeon and community development advocate, emphasized unity and shared purpose among the people of Kwara South.
“Unity is the foundation of development. We must revive our tradition of cooperation, rebuild our infrastructure, and create jobs for our youths. That’s how we can secure our future,” he noted.
In his remarks, Hon. Olatunde Owolabi Razaq, member representing Share/Oke-Ode at the Kwara State House of Assembly, echoed the call for political inclusiveness, economic renewal, and moral reorientation, urging citizens to rise above partisan interests in pursuit of common goals.
