Ali Ahmad Condemns Kwara Gov’s Inaction on High Airfares, Praises Saraki’s Intervention
Former Kwara State Speaker, Professor Ali Ahmad, has condemned the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration for its failure to address the exorbitant airfares charged by Overland Airways on the Abuja-Ilorin route, while attempting to discredit Dr. Bukola Saraki’s recent intervention.
In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Ayinde Sa’ad, Professor Ali Ahmad expressed dismay at the administration’s tendency to react with shallow criticism instead of taking proactive steps to resolve issues affecting Kwarans. For over two years, residents, including senior lawyers and businessmen, have complained about the unfair airfare disparities, yet Governor Abdulrazaq has remained indifferent, seemingly disconnected from the struggles of the people he serves.
Professor Ahmad noted Dr. Saraki’s intervention, stating that the former Senate President leveraged his relationships and goodwill to seek relief for Kwarans—action the state government failed to take.
“Saraki’s effort highlights the difference between pretense at governance and true leadership,” Ahmad said.
He recalled that the Abuja-Ilorin route was established under Saraki’s administration, and his recent efforts reflect a continued commitment to Kwara’s economic connectivity. Ahmad criticized the administration’s defensive response, which he described as an attempt to trivialize Saraki’s intervention for political gain.
He contrasted Kwara’s inaction with other Nigerian governors, such as those in Niger and Bauchi, who have successfully engaged airlines to benefit their citizens. Ahmad argued that a responsive governor would have summoned Overland Airways to address the issue, rather than waiting for others to act. It is just inconceivable that such price disparity would occur during the Saraki years without the former Senate President immediately summoning the management of the Airline to Government House for tough questioning.
The former Speaker urged the Abdulrazaq administration to fulfill its obligations to Kwarans, emphasizing that the government’s pattern of inertia and blame-shifting reflects a lack of capability to leverage its authority for the state’s benefit.
Signed:
Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant to Professor Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly