A new socio-political movement, the Kwara Redemption Movement (KRM), has emerged in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, aiming to mobilize and educate voters ahead of the 2027 elections. Conveners of KRM state that the movement’s primary objective is to inspire the electorate to select effective and principled leaders for the state.
Iyiola Oyedepo, the group’s convener, clarified that KRM is not a political party, but a platform created to address concerns around equity, justice, and fairness in governance and distribution of resources. Launched in Ilorin, the state’s capital, the movement comprises academics, politicians, civil society members, and other professionals who share a vision of transformative governance.
According to Oyedepo, Kwara State, established in 1967 with high expectations, has seen many of its early achievements—including industries, schools, and public services—eroded by subsequent administrations. He remarked that the state’s first-generation infrastructure has been neglected and key sectors diminished, largely due to a lack of effective governance.
Oyedepo, a former key member of the ‘O to ge’ movement, which played a significant role in electing the current leaders in 2019, expressed disappointment in the outcome of that political push. “The current leadership has failed to fulfill the vision of good governance that ‘O to ge’ sought to achieve. The vision was compromised, and the original goals were lost,” he said, referring to the movement as a “revolution aborted.”
He added that KRM’s focus is on fostering equitable governance, where the people are given a voice in the decision-making process and resources are fairly distributed across the state. “Kwara Redemption Movement is a vehicle to encourage and organize the people to seek the right leadership in the next election,” he noted. “It’s time for a new generation of leaders who will bring the state into an era of equitable participation and shared prosperity.”
At the launch, Oyedepo called upon residents of Kwara to join the movement in the effort to restore integrity and fairness in governance. He emphasized that KRM will work to ensure that every citizen has a stake in the future of the state.
Prominent dignitaries present at the event included Alhaji Taju Makama Lafiagi, former APC gubernatorial aspirant; Benjamin Yisa, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Dr. Wale Suleiman, Chairman of the Governing Council at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun; Dr. Hezekiah Oyedepo; Alhaji Lukman Mustapha; Arc Kale Belgore; and Alhaji Tunde Mohammed, among others.