Founding leaders of the Kwara State Otoge movement have warned the disgruntled 15 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship and federal legislator aspirants styled: G15 to desist from further attempt “to steal the identity and legacy” of the political movement to pursue their personal political interests.

The leaders insisted that “Otoge remains a collective struggle owned by the people of Kwara State.”

They maintained that the Otoge movement, which reshaped Kwara’s political landscape in 2019, was never conceived to advance the ambitions of individuals or political blocs but built through the collective sacrifices of millions of Kwarans seeking accountable leadership, development and improved governance.

In a statement countersigned by 38 founding members of the movement, they said that they were alarmed by the efforts of the G15 to portray itself as the custodian of the Otoge movement after criticising and questioning the outcome of the APC’s primaries.

“The Otoge movement was not created to serve the ambitions of politicians. It was a historic, people-driven movement championed by millions of Kwarans at home and in the diaspora.

“No individual, pressure group or political bloc can lay exclusive claim to that collective struggle,” the statement declared.

The founding leaders condemned a petition reportedly submitted by the G15 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that the group warned about the uncertainty of APC’s fortunes in Kwara, including the President’s 2027 re-election prospects, if its grievances were not addressed.

Otoge described the petition as “an act of political blackmail inconsistent with the principles of loyalty, sacrifice and collective responsibility that defined the Otoge movement.

“You cannot threaten President Tinubu with electoral consequences today because of your personal interests and expect Nigerians to believe you are defending the movement that brought progressive politics to Kwara,” the statement checked.

The leaders recalled that many, now leading the G15 had previously commended the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and acknowledged its developmental strides before their political aspirations were frustrated.

According to them, the G15’s recent posture raises questions about the motives behind its campaign against the governor and the party.

Drawing a comparison between recent political gatherings in the state, the signatories said the #KwaraNdupe rally attracted thousands of APC members and supporters who celebrated the achievements of President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq and the ruling party before paying a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin for royal blessings.

They, however, dismissed the G15 meeting as a “political photo opportunity,” alleging that many of its leaders travelled to Ilorin only for the event before returning to Abuja.

The statement also claimed that the group’s attempt to visit the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace was unsuccessful because it failed to comply with established palace protocols requiring official engagements to be scheduled in advance.

The founding leaders further condemned what they described as increasingly hostile rhetoric directed at Governor AbdulRazaq, as well as campaign materials suggesting that President Tinubu was “trading with Kwara,” warning that such narratives could deepen divisions within the APC and undermine party cohesion ahead of future elections.

While acknowledging that disagreements were inevitable in political parties, they urged aggrieved members to pursue reconciliation through the APC’s constitutional mechanisms rather than public campaigns capable of weakening the party.

Reaffirming their loyalty to President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, the national leadership of the APC and all duly nominated candidates of the party, the signatories insisted that the ideals of the Otoge movement remained rooted in courage, consistency, loyalty and service.

“The Otoge movement remains a people’s movement. It was built on courage, consistency, loyalty and service, not personal ambition. Those who seek to invoke its name must first demonstrate fidelity to its values,” the statement concluded.

The statement was endorsed by 38 founding leaders of the Otoge movement, including Hon. Raji Atolagbe Muhammad, Alhaji Rahim Alamoyo, Prof. Abdulraheem Sheu Adaramaja, Hon. Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe, Chief Michael Iyanda, Engr. Benjamin Oyeyemi, Dr. Solomon Olaegin and Alhaja Aminat Gbolasere, among others.