By Ajewole Joshua (Editorial Board/Opinion) November 8, 2025
The unfolding political tension in Kwara State has become a matter of grave concern. What began as a contest of ideas among parties is fast degenerating into a dangerous war of words that, if left unchecked, could spiral into physical conflict. As a journalist who has followed these developments closely, I feel compelled to raise this alarm before our beloved state relives the dark days when politics was marked by violence, killings, and the burning of homes.
In recent months, Kwara’s political climate has become increasingly toxic. The exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition have taken on the tone of hostility one might expect between nations of different ideologies rather than citizens of the same state. Propaganda, insults, and character assassinations have become the tools of engagement. Social media, once a platform for civic dialogue, has now become a battlefield where truth often gives way to paid narratives and deliberate misinformation.
Anyone who dares to speak truth to power or call the government to order risks being branded an enemy or a “paid agent” of the opposition. Such labeling and intimidation have done nothing but deepen division, stifle constructive criticism, and weaken the very essence of democracy.
Equally worrisome is the emerging factionalism within the ruling party itself. Internal wrangling has become increasingly visible, as camps within the same political family engage in counter-protests and open confrontation. The energy that should be channeled toward governance and service delivery is now being expended on personal battles for dominance.
The ruling party has also become a magnet for defections; a trend that may appear to signal strength. Yet, those who choose to leave are often met with public humiliation or political isolation. One must ask: is the much-celebrated progress in Kwara truly reflected in the reality on the ground, or is it being drowned out by the noise of political self-promotion?
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is growing increasingly fierce. Rather than focusing on development-oriented debates, both sides seem locked in a contest of insults and supremacy. This rising animosity is not only unproductive but dangerous. It threatens to undo the hard-earned peace and stability Kwara has enjoyed in recent years.
This is, therefore, a clarion call to the elites, elders, and political stakeholders across party lines to intervene urgently. There is a pressing need for a roundtable dialogue to restore civility, mutual respect, and decorum to our political space. The politics of calumny and bitterness must be replaced with issue-based engagement and collective responsibility.
Our youths, in particular, must resist being used as pawns in this game. The same young people who are mobilized to attack or defend politicians online and offline will still face the same economic realities after the elections. It is time they redirect their energy toward peacebuilding, innovation, and development rather than destruction.
Kwara State stands at a crossroads; between progress and regression, peace and chaos. The choices our leaders and citizens make today will determine which path we take.
For the sake of our shared future, let reason prevail over recklessness. Let unity triumph over hatred. And let the voice of conscience rise above the noise of political conflict.
— Ajewole Joshua is a journalist and public affairs commentator.
