G10 and the Politics of Self-Interest. By Adamu Shehu (Vascojr)

G10 and the Politics of Self-Interest. 

By Adamu Shehu (Vascojr) 

Politics is often defined by convictions, consistency, and commitment to the people. However, when personal ambition begins to outweigh collective interest, political movements lose their moral foundation. The recent posture of the so-called G10 raises an important question: Is their agitation truly about Kwara State, or is it merely about individual political aspirations?

It is important to remember that many of the personalities who today identify with the G10 were once among the loudest voices against the Saraki political dynasty. Their opposition was driven by a shared resolve to liberate Kwara State from what they described as decades of political domination. They rallied behind Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, believing in his vision to lead the struggle for a new Kwara.

That struggle culminated in the historic Òtógẹ́ movement of 2019, which ushered in a new political era and ended years of entrenched political control. The message of the movement resonated across the state because it reflected the frustrations of ordinary Kwarans.

The administration that preceded the Òtógẹ́ movement had, in the eyes of many citizens, allowed governance to drift. Civil servants endured months of unpaid salaries and irregular percentage payments. Pensioners suffered unbearable hardship as gratuities remained unpaid. Public infrastructure deteriorated, healthcare struggled, and many communities were left behind in development. These realities became the rallying point for citizens determined to reclaim their state.

The leaders of the Òtógẹ́ movement promised a government that would prioritize the welfare of the people over political interests. Kwarans embraced that vision and overwhelmingly entrusted AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with the responsibility of rebuilding the state.

Since assuming office, Governor AbdulRazaq has sought to restore public confidence through governance focused on service delivery. His administration cleared outstanding salary obligations, implemented promotions with their financial benefits, prioritized pensioners by settling inherited liabilities, and embarked on extensive investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and rural development. These interventions rekindled hope among many citizens who had long desired responsive leadership.

It was therefore unsurprising that ahead of the 2023 elections, Governor AbdulRazaq secured the unanimous support of his party without any internal challenge to his candidacy. For many party faithful, this reflected confidence in his performance and leadership.

The role of many individuals now identified with the G10 before and during the 2023 elections is equally instructive. A significant number of them openly opposed the Governor’s re-election bid. Some distanced themselves from the administration, while others aligned with opposition forces in an attempt to prevent his return to office. Yet, despite the political intrigues and coordinated opposition, the Governor secured a convincing mandate from the people, demonstrating that public support ultimately outweighs political calculations.

Ironically, many of those same actors returned to the APC after the election, publicly identifying with the Governor’s leadership and celebrating the very administration they had previously sought to unseat. While politics often accommodates reconciliation, such dramatic shifts naturally invite questions about consistency and motivation.

Today, as discussions surrounding the 2027 governorship gather momentum, the same group appears to have embarked on another campaign—one seemingly driven less by collective party interest than by individual ambition.

Every politician is entitled to aspire to higher office. That is the essence of democracy. However, ambition must always be balanced with party discipline and the broader interest of the people. No political platform can satisfy every aspiration simultaneously, and only one individual can eventually emerge as the party’s flag bearer.

If the overriding objective is truly the progress of Kwara State and the continued success of the All Progressives Congress, then personal interests should naturally give way to collective responsibility. Party unity remains the strongest foundation for electoral victory.

The people of Kwara deserve politics built on continuity, stability, and sustained development—not endless contests driven by personal calculations. The focus should remain on consolidating the achievements recorded under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and ensuring that the developmental trajectory of the state continues beyond 2027.

The APC, as a political institution, has established mechanisms for making decisions, and those decisions deserve the respect and support of every loyal member. Unity, not division, has always been the party’s greatest strength.

As Kwara prepares for another political cycle, the priority should not be individual ambition but the collective vision of a stronger, more prosperous state. The work of building upon the gains of the AbdulRazaq administration must continue.

One Kwara Project 2027 is not merely a political slogan; it is a call for unity, continuity, and shared progress.

In sha Allah, the journey continues.