Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Lukman Agbelere, has stopped the renovation of a primary healthcare centre in Awodi community, sparking controversy and backlash over the decision, which was tied to political rivalry within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The project, reportedly worth N200 million, was facilitated by Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District and serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. It was part of federal constituency projects meant to upgrade rural healthcare infrastructure and improve medical access for residents of Gambari Ward II.
In a video that went viral on Monday, Mr. Agbelere confirmed he halted the project. Speaking in Yoruba, the council chairman justified his decision by stating that Senator Mustapha is an “enemy” of his political principal, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. “Ota oga mi, ota mi,” he said, meaning “an enemy of my boss is my enemy.”
Agbelere argued that the council has the capacity to execute such projects without federal input. “I won’t allow it. We’ll do it ourselves,” he told a gathering of residents. “There is no project the Senator facilitates that the council cannot achieve in better fold.”
The chairman also addressed criticisms raised on a local radio programme where he was accused of blocking development due to political differences. He insisted his actions align with the state government’s strategy on grassroots development.
However, his remarks have stirred strong reactions from residents, civil society groups, and political observers, who accuse him of prioritising political loyalty over the wellbeing of his constituents. Critics have described the decision as a form of sabotage against federal government efforts aimed at delivering development to the grassroots.
Alhaji Shola Muse, convener of the Good Governance Group, condemned the action, calling it a direct attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said, “This is not the first time the Senator’s projects have been cancelled. So far, the totality of the projects run into billions of naira. What they failed to realise is that these are not personal projects of the Senator but federal government projects for the development of the grassroots.”
The healthcare project was expected to bring much-needed upgrades to the Awodi Primary Health Centre, including new medical equipment, renovation of existing buildings, and provision of essential health services to surrounding communities.
The incident has drawn attention to growing divisions within the Kwara State chapter of the APC, especially as jostling for the 2027 governorship election intensifies. Senator Mustapha is believed to have strong grassroots support and may be positioning himself for a bigger political role, a move that appears to have unsettled allies of the current administration.
Observers believe the development reflects deeper power struggles within the party and raises concerns about how political infighting could undermine federal intervention programmes in the state.
Although the local government claims it can carry out the hospital renovation on its own, many residents remain skeptical. Some community members expressed fears that the project may be delayed indefinitely or completed without the same level of quality and funding the federal initiative would have provided.
Calls are now mounting on both state and federal authorities to step in and ensure that politics does not stand in the way of vital infrastructure, especially in the health and education sectors.
As of press time, Senator Mustapha has not issued a formal response to the local council’s actions, but sources close to his office say the matter is being reviewed at the national level.
