Offa explosion: PDP faults Kwara gov silence

Abdulrasaq

The Peoples Democratic Party chapter in Kwara State has faulted the state government over what it described as a lack of official response following the explosion that occurred in Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area, leaving residents anxious and seeking clarity on the incident.

The party’s position follows earlier reports on Friday by PUNCH Online that explosions rocked parts of Offa community on Christmas night, damaging property and prompting security agencies to cordon off affected areas as investigations commenced.

According to Arise TV on Saturday, in a statement issued in Ilorin and signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the opposition party said the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration had failed to address the public or offer reassurance since the incident.

The PDP expressed sympathy with the people of Offa, especially the Olofa of Offa, Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye I, as well as residents, business owners and communities affected by the explosion. “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 party, there had been no official explanation, no security briefing, no visible government presence at the scene, and no word of reassurance to residents of Offa and other parts of the state as of the time the statement was released.

“This dangerous vacuum of leadership has fuelled panic, rumours and widespread anxiety among innocent citizens,” the PDP said. Punch