Qasim Responds to Professor Suleiman, Defends Kwara North Youths

Qasim Responds to Professor Suleiman, Defends Kwara North Youths

Public affairs commentator and education advocate, Sanchitagi Qasim, has defended the reputation of Kwara North youths following Professor Olarenwaju Suleiman's recent outcry over insults allegedly directed at him by some individuals from the region, insisting that the actions of a few should not be mistaken for the character of an entire people.

Reacting to the development, Qasim argued that the individuals involved do not represent the values, culture and disposition of Kwara North. According to him, the region remains home to the most respectful and responsible citizens in the state, noting that those who attacked the elder statesman are individuals known for similar conduct in various spheres of public life.

He also expressed surprise that Professor Suleiman chose to publicly acknowledge the actions of the individuals, whom he described as political urchins, arguing that such recognition only elevated voices that do not command serious respect in matters of governance, culture and intellectual engagement.

Defending the image of the region, Qasim stated that, “Professor Suleiman must be reminded that Kwara North youths and by extension elders are the most cultured people in Kwara State. We are respectful and responsible people. We do not talk down on our elders or elders from other places.”

Beyond the controversy, Qasim suggested that the frustrations being expressed by Professor Suleiman and other APC governorship aspirants may be connected to broader concerns about governance and leadership in Kwara State. He argued that many stakeholders are increasingly questioning the direction of governance in the state and the role of the state governor in shaping future leadership.

According to him, the real debate should not revolve around personalities but around governance, accountability and the vision for the state's future. He particularly questioned the silence of some traditional leaders on critical governance issues, describing such silence as troubling at a time when citizens expect clear positions from public figures.

Qasim also reiterated his opposition to power rotation and identity-based politics, maintaining that leadership positions should never be determined by geography, religion, ethnicity or gender.

“We must engage aspirants on the basis of their ideas, competency and measurable achievements in the past,” he said, stressing that governance and performance should remain the central criteria for evaluating political aspirants.

He further called on traditional rulers to remain neutral in partisan politics while actively contributing to conversations around governance and development, insisting that public discourse should be driven by policies, programmes and measurable outcomes rather than political sentiments.

The remarks come amid growing political conversations ahead of the 2027 elections in Kwara State, as debates over governance, succession and leadership continue to shape discussions across the state.