We’ll Resist Being Joined to South West, Vows Saraki

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reiterated his longstanding position that Kwara State will resist any attempts to annex it to the South-West geopolitical zone, emphasizing the state’s historical and cultural ties to the North

Saraki first made the vow during the 2019 election campaigns, warning against what he described as “territorial-expansionist ambitions” and asserting that Kwara’s identity should remain anchored in the North. While the statement was largely political at the time, it reflected strong local sentiment regarding the state’s geopolitical alignment. However, recent developments indicate that the issue of annexation has not resurfaced in any formal or widely recognized manner. Instead, Kwara’s public discourse has shifted to pressing security concerns, including banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on communities across the state. In September 2025, Saraki criticized the state government over a surge in insecurity, highlighting deaths, injuries, and displacements resulting from violent incidents. In November, following a terrorist attack at a church in Eruku town, he urged federal and state security agencies to protect vulnerable communities and ensure the swift rescue of abducted citizens. Observers note that while Saraki’s annexation vow remains a historical reference point, his current activism is focused on addressing insecurity, governance failures, and protecting residents, rather than engaging in debates about geopolitical realignment. Kwara residents continue to grapple with insecurity and governance challenges, with identity and zone alignment remaining secondary to immediate safety and welfare concerns.