The Kwara State PDP publicity secretary, Olusegun Olushola Adewara, was on Thursday remanded at Oke-Kura Correctional Centre after a State High Court in Ilorin refused him bail in a case over alleged defamation of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Adewara was arraigned before Justice T.S. Umar on a two-count charge over the alleged defamation and statements said to have caused public disturbance. The prosecution accused the opposition spokesman of making remarks considered offensive and uncomfortable to the state government.
Although his counsel filed a bail application and made oral submissions, Justice Umar refused the request, ruling the application had not been formally moved in line with procedure. The court ordered his remand and adjourned the matter till June 10, 2026, for hearing of the bail application.
Speaking after the proceedings, Adewara said he was disappointed but would submit to the process despite what he called political undertones. “While the decision to grant or refuse bail remains entirely at the discretion of the court, and though this development leaves a bitter taste considering the seeming political undertone against opposition voices in Kwara State, I nevertheless respect the court and the judicial process,” he said.
He asked supporters to stay calm. “I therefore urge all our supporters, friends and PDP members across the state to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding. Moments like this are part of the sacrifices often demanded in the struggle for democracy and a better Kwara ahead of 2027,” he added. He insisted detention would not weaken the opposition: “This struggle must continue irrespective of whether I am physically present or not, and by the grace of God, our victory is certain.”
The Kwara PDP condemned the remand, calling the prosecution an attempt to intimidate opposition and suppress dissent. In a statement signed by Assistant State Publicity Secretary Bashir Ashura, the party said the administration was using state machinery against critics instead of tackling insecurity and economic hardship, calling the arraignment “a deliberate attempt” to silence voices. “It is deeply unfortunate that a government which has failed woefully in addressing the worsening insecurity across Kwara State is now channeling state resources toward the harassment and intimidation of citizens who dare to speak against its shortcomings,” the statement said. The party urged security agencies and the judiciary to stay neutral and professional.
