The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has criticised the state government over what it described as silence and lack of leadership following an explosion that rocked Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area.
The opposition party said residents have been left anxious and confused due to the absence of an official response from the state government after the incident.
Reports had earlier emerged that explosions occurred in parts of the Offa community on Christmas night, damaging property and forcing security agencies to cordon off the affected areas while investigations began.
Reacting on Saturday, the PDP, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had failed to address the public or reassure residents since the explosion.
The party expressed sympathy with the people of Offa, including the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye I, as well as residents, business owners and communities affected by the incident.
“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 said.
According to the PDP, there was no official explanation, no security briefing and no visible presence of government officials at the scene, even as residents continued to express fear over the situation.
“This dangerous vacuum of leadership has fuelled panic, rumours and widespread anxiety among innocent citizens,” the party added.
The PDP argued that a responsible government would have immediately visited the affected area, assessed the situation and clearly informed the public about what happened.
“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 read.
The party described it as unacceptable that neither the governor nor any senior state or local government official had visited Offa to identify with the victims, adding that security agencies had also not adequately briefed the public.
It described the situation as “irresponsible, insensitive and reckless governance,” especially during the festive season when residents expect peace and security.
The PDP called on Governor AbdulRazaq to urgently visit Offa, assess the situation firsthand and provide support to affected residents.
“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 said.
It stressed that the people of Offa deserve truth, protection and leadership at a critical time, rather than silence from those in power.
