By Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir
November 12th, 2024
Over the weekend, residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, were confronted with a new order from the Kwara State government restricting certain categories of vehicles from using the Ahmadu Bello Way, a major route that connects Government House, various government offices, the popular Challenge area, and also serves as an alternate road for commercial vehicles to reach Tanke, GRA, Fate, Basin, and other areas within the metropolis. The restriction order affects tricycles (Keke Napep), commercial motorcycles (Okada), taxis, trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles.
This restriction notice, which was issued by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Abdulquawiy Olododo, came with a directive to the Kwara State Traffic Management Agency to commence enforcement with immediate effect. The commissioner also disclosed that violators of the restriction orders would be liable to pay a fine of up to N50,000.
This order smacks of elitism and the I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude that Governor Abdulrahman has become known for. As described by an advocacy group, The People’s Voice Advocacy Network, PVAN, this directive is anti-masses, insensitive, and heartless. In fact, it is thoughtless and ridiculous, raising questions about the mindset of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his men. It makes one wonder who advises or counsels the Governor and his subordinates. Do they also receive advice from a madman? Apologies to Peter Obi, former Anambra state governor.
What is the population of people in Ilorin with private cars when the government asked commercial drivers and riders not to ply the road? In fact, many of those who have private cars now abandon their cars at home and opt for commercial vehicles due to fuel costs. Therefore, restricting commercial vehicles, especially Keke Napep from operating on a route that is heavily used by workers, business owners and residents – many of whom are low-income earners and have no private cars – will no doubt impact their daily lives.
Considering that more than half of Ilorin’s population relies on commercial vehicles to move around and conduct their businesses, and that the most popular means of transport today in Ilorin, is Keke Napep, this restriction order will leave many with no choice but to trek long distances to reach their workplaces, houses and shops. The insensitive government did not even consider the poor state workers rely on commercial transport to commute to Government House and other government establishments along that route.
This thoughtless move will no doubt exacerbate poverty and hardship, especially for small business owners and low-income workers who make use of the Ahmadu Bello way and depend on Keke Napep for affordable transportation. Additionally, the restriction order will reduce economic activities in the area, which is bad news for business owners.
The government claims that the restriction order aims to enhance safety and security around the Government House area. But the question that readily comes to mind is “what security threat do the commercial vehicle operators pose to the area and to Governor Abdulrahman himself? Is he the first governor to occupy the Government House? This is even a man who hardly stays in Ilorin and spends most of his time in Abuja. This perhaps explains why he is detached from the realities facing everyday Kwarans. The restriction order is reminiscent of an Apartheid regime that encourages segregation, marginalises, and treats poor citizens as second-class.
Looking at the policies and actions of Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration in recent times, one can safely conclude that the governor has declared war on poor and vulnerable Kwarans. He started by demolishing shops of hundreds of business owners in different parts of Ilorin, dealing a devastating blow to their livelihoods and forcing them and their families into destitution. He continued by introducing salary structure, which sees workers earning poor monthly wages that barely cover their basic needs, despite significant increase in federal allocation and other revenues to the state. Now, his government has introduced an order, restricting poor people from using a road that was constructed with public funds.
Kwarans like other Nigerians are still struggling with economic pains and hardships the Tinubu (T Pain) administration has inflicted on them, and rather than strive to ease these pains for them, Governor Abdulrahman is exacerbating their difficulties, showing disregard for their welfare.
At this period when the masses are confronted by a national economic strain that has been worsened by the unfriendly policies of the Tinubu’s government, it’s unconscionable for a state government to choose this time to exacerbate the plight of its citizens in this manner. The timing of all of Governor Abdulrahman’s anti-masses policies and actions calls into question his priorities and commitment to the well-being and welfare of the people he governs. Well-meaning Kwarans should join me in asking Governor Abdulrahman to let the poor breathe and stop suffocating us.
Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir, a Kwara-born political analyst, writes from Ibadan.