The Dangerous Politics Of Falsehood And The Reckless Claims Of Alhaji Iliasu Ibrahim

In recent days, the airwaves in Ilorin have been polluted by a barrage of reckless allegations aired during a programme on SBS Radio and broadcast widely by

Olusegun Adewara, the PRO of Kwara PDP.

The claims—chiefly pushed by Alh Iliasu Ibrahim claimed that Kwara State governor, Mal. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, awarded an unnamed $800 million contract to his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, and that a staggering ₦88 billion was “found” in the account of the governor’s younger brother, Ma. Isiaka AbdulRazaq, allegedly linked to the NNPC’s refinery Turn-Around Maintenance funds.

The claims are not made with any evidence.They are entirely unsubstantiated, logically inconsistent, and legally defamatory.

What transpired on SBS Radio is a textbook example of politically motivated falsehood. This is likely prompted by the approaching cycle of elections.

The allegations give rise to a number of questions.

The first question is why has Alh Iliasu skipped identifying the contract. What contract? No project name is given, no description of the project is given, no ministry, no awarding agency.Nothing. Alh Iliasu presumes that our citizens will overlook the need for truth and verification.

The second question: Why has Alh Iliasu failed to give some facts about the alleged contract process or the significance of the very precise amount of $800m? Since no public procurement process exists  or has taken place in Kwara State under the present governor of an amount that even approaches such a figure we can only conclude that these statements are malicious. No trace, no documentation, no record—only a loud, fiery tale designed to mislead.

Thirdly: Why has he chosen Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq? This is ironiç since it is known by those who care to check their facts that Dr AbdulRazaq followed his late father,  Alh AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN)  into law. He is not a contractor. There is no history, past or present, of Dr. AbdulRazaq participating in contract bidding in Kwara State.

Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq is, in fact, a distinguished legal practitioner of over four decades. He is also a member of the Body of Benchers. This is a position conferred on the professions’ respected leaders. Dr Abdul Razaq is a respected corporate leader known for his adherence to due process, ethical discipline, and unimpeachable transparency.

There is no explanation given of why Dr AbdulRazaq would now embroil himself in fictitious schemes which make no sense. The inevitable conclusion is that the perpetrators of these allegations have their own agenda.

As for the claim of ₦88 billion allegedly discovered in the account of another AbdulRazaq sibling, the story collapses instantly under the weight of its own absurdity. No investigative agency, no financial watchdog, no credible source—local or international—has ever made such a claim. Yet, this was presented to the public as “fact.”

Alh Iliasu is not new to controversy. His repeated appearances on radio programmes to hurl mud at public officials have become routine. His son served as a commissioner in the present administration, yet Alh Iliasu’s politics has remained anchored in what many now describe as a Pull-Him-Down Syndrome —a destructive habit sustained over decades.

As 2027 draws nearer, we have clearly entered the season of mudslinging, fake news, muck-raking, and desperate propaganda. For individuals like Alh Iliasu, whose political relevance has waned over time, manufacturing sensational stories has become a last-ditch desperate attempt to reclaim public attention.

The programme featured two other persons: Shola Muse, widely known for lobbying—without success—for the chairmanship of the State Universal Basic Education Board, and

Ade Gogo, a familiar radio presenter patronised by opposition politicians.So, no surprise that Segun Adewara of the PDP has come out of the shadows to personally broadcast the fake news.

Rather than offering facts, they all chose to weaponise misinformation, dragging public discourse to new lows.

Even more troubling is the role of SBS Radio, which willfully provided a platform for the broadcast of such egregious falsehoods. The National Broadcasting Commission’s Code is explicit:

“No station shall broadcast false, inaccurate, or misleading information, especially when calculated to defame individuals or incite public distrust.”

– Adigun is the  Special Adviser on Media to the  Kwara State Governor.

SBS violated these standards and should face appropriate NBC sanctions as any other citizen would have to.

It is ironic that these attacks target Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who, from his first day in office, deliberately invited transparency and accountability NGOs into government operations.

Where no transparency NGO has made such wild allegations after objective consideration of the state’s  fiscal performance ,Alh  Iliasu appears to be able to magically conjure his own poisonous vituperations out of thin air.

Anyone interested in logic and the truth would immediately realise that the alleged contract amount is outlandish and is inconsistent with the financial disposition of the administration.

The alleged amount exceeds present day reality. A cursory glance at publicly available figures shows that the alleged phantom contract amount would exceed the states average CAPEX for the past 6 years. Therefore it is practically impossible to award such a contract. There is no explanation by Alh Iliasu of this contradiction. Neither does he offer proof of the existence of any such contract. He has plucked figures from the air and it is now clear that the phantom project is a figment of his imagination. We need solutions not fiction.

Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq’s administration is built on pillars of openness, fiscal responsibility, and public-sector reform. The allegations collapse under the slightest scrutiny.

We are nevertheless compelled to respond because the only thing necessary for the triumph of malicious lies is for good men to do nothing.

We appeal to the public to remain vigilant. Please continue to ask questions and to challenge all statements and absurd allegations. Individuals like Alh Iliasu, whose careers are built on sensationalism and character assassination, thrive only when unsuspecting citizens accept their claims without scrutiny.

We appeal to the media houses, to please uphold the standards of your profession. Broadcasting is a public trust, not a political bazaar where slander is traded for relevance.Nigerians deserve responsible discourse, especially in sensitive political seasons.