Group Faults Report on Oke-Onigbin Road, Describes Allegation Against TAHL Engineering as Baseless
The Progressive Youth Forum, operating under the umbrella of Afenifere, has dismissed as false and misleading a recent report claiming that the Oke-Onigbin Road project handled by TAHL Engineering Limited, owned by Mr. Cornelius Adebayo, remains incomplete.
In a statement issued and signed by Comrade Funsho Dare, an Afenifere chieftain, the Forum described the publication credited to one Tejumola Olusegun Orilemola, Convener of the Society for Sustainable Governance (SSG) as misleading, ill-timed, and politically motivated.
According to the group, the timing of the allegation is suspicious, coming barely days after the funeral of the late sage, Pa Cornelius Adebayo, a respected statesman whose burial was notably supported and attended by the Kwara State Government.
“We find it curious that such a baseless claim is surfacing now, shortly after the burial of a revered leader who dedicated his life to public service. It is regrettable that a solemn period of reflection is being turned into an avenue for unnecessary controversy,” the statement read.
The Forum clarified that the Oke-Onigbin Road was executed through direct labour and has been fully completed, contrary to claims of abandonment. It explained that TAHL Engineering Limited was never awarded a formal contract for the project.
“For any project to qualify as a contract, there must be a bidding process, public advertisement, issuance of an award letter, and a formal acceptance. None of these existed in this case. The road project was a direct labour initiative and has since been completed,” the statement emphasized.
The group further criticized the SSG for failing to verify facts with the Kwara State Ministry of Works, describing the report as a calculated attempt to sow discord between the Adebayo family and the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration.
“Responsible citizens should be supporting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s transformational leadership, not promoting falsehoods that aim to divide the people,” the statement added.
While commending the state government for its ongoing development efforts, the Forum also condemned what it called the “needless drama” exhibited by a cleric during Pa Adebayo’s funeral service, stressing that such a sacred event should not have been turned into a platform for settling personal or political scores.
Reaffirming the loyalty of Mr. Cornelius Adebayo and Hon. Oloruntoyosi Thomas to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Forum restated their commitment to supporting the success of the AbdulRazaq-led government at all levels.
In conclusion, the Progressive Youth Forum expressed deep appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, Deputy Senate Leader Architect Ashiru, Senator Sadiq Umar, and Rt. Hon. Danladi Yakubu-Salisu, among other dignitaries, for their leadership, compassion, and steadfastness.
“Long live the Government of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq! Long live Kwara State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
Signed:
Comrade Funsho Dare
Afenifere Chieftain, for Progressive Youth Forum
