The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has condemned what it describes as the state government’s conspicuous silence following the Christmas night explosion that rocked Offa town, leaving residents in fear and demanding accountability from the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration.
The explosions, which occurred on Wednesday night in Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area, damaged property and forced security agencies to cordon off affected areas. However, nearly 48 hours after the incident, the opposition party says no official statement has been issued by the state government to address public concerns or provide clarity on the situation.
In a statement released in Ilorin on Saturday and signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the PDP expressed sympathy with the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye I, and all residents and business owners affected by the explosion. The party, however, criticised the government for what it termed a “dangerous vacuum of leadership” during a time of crisis.
“It is unfortunate that while residents ran for their lives in fear and confusion, the state governor and his government were conspicuously missing in action, both physically and in communication,” the statement read. According to the PDP, there has been no official explanation, no security briefing, no visible government presence at the scene, and no word of reassurance to the people of Offa and other parts of Kwara State.
The party argued that a responsible government would have promptly visited the affected area, conducted an on-the-spot assessment, and provided transparent information to the public. “Sadly, in Kwara today, citizens are abandoned to social media speculation because their government has failed in its most basic duty of providing leadership in times of crisis,” the statement added.
The PDP characterised the situation as “irresponsible, insensitive and reckless governance,” particularly during the festive season when citizens expect peace and security. The party outlined several failures it attributed to the state government: the governor has not addressed the public, no state or local government official has visited Offa to identify with victims, and security agencies have not adequately briefed residents on the nature and cause of the explosions.
“This dangerous vacuum of leadership has fuelled panic, rumours and widespread anxiety among innocent citizens,” the PDP said, calling on Governor AbdulRazaq to “urgently return from Abuja, visit Offa to assess the situation, and support affected residents.”
The party also demanded that the governor brief the people of Kwara on the true situation in Offa and convene a joint security briefing to address the growing panic. “The governor must brief the people of Kwara on the true situation in Offa and convene a joint security clarification to put an end to the growing panic,” the statement emphasised.
According to the statement, the people of Offa deserve truth, protection, and leadership rather than silence at such a critical moment. The PDP’s criticism highlights broader concerns about crisis management and government responsiveness in the state, particularly regarding public safety incidents that affect entire communities.
The explosion incident has raised questions about emergency response protocols and communication strategies during crises in Kwara State. While security agencies reportedly cordoned off the affected areas to commence investigations, the absence of official communication has left residents relying on unofficial sources and social media for information.
