Residents of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have denounced their Nigerian citizenship. They said they now belong to the Republic of Benin.

The residents attributed their decision to long neglect of the local government in terms of basic infrastructure by the Kwara State government.

In a statement made available to journalists, Abdulrazaq O. Hamzat of Kwara Must Change accused Kwara politicians of deceiving residents of the local government with promises during electioneering campaign.
He said since the creation of Kwara state over 51 years ago, no single meaningful project has been done in the local government by either state or federal government.

Hamzat said some members of Kwara Must Change residing in the local government confided in the group that they have since lost hope in the Kwara State government and have silently denounced their Kwara State citizenship due to absolute neglect.

”I am from Baruten local government, in Gwanara district specifically. We call ourselves citizens of Benin Republic because we are not sure if we are part of Kwara state. From Gwanara, we travel to Saki in Oyo state for medical treatments and some even die on the road while going.”

‘’Others go to the Benin Republic for medical treatments too, because we really lack everything at Baruten especially Gwanara district’’

Read Hamzat’s full story below:

Kwara Must Change wishes to bring to public attention, the unfortunate situation in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State that has made the people denounce their beloved Kwara State.

Baruten is a Local Government in Kwara State sharing border with the Benin Republic, but unfortunately, there is no road leading to the Local Government from Kwara State.

When going to Baruten, one has to travel a long distance to neighboring Oyo State before connecting back to Baruten Local Government. However, apart from Oyo State, one can as well travel to the Benin Republic and come in through the other axis.

Although Nigeria’s border road to Benin Republic located in Gwanara district of Baruten Local Government is stinkingly terrible, notwithstanding, one can still use it at grave discomfort.

According to the people living in the local government, since the creation of Kwara state over 51 years ago, no single meaningful project has been done in the local government by either state or federal government.

A few days ago, some members of Kwara Must Change residing in the local government confided in us that they have since lost hope in the Kwara State government and have silently denounced their Kwara State citizenship due to absolute neglect.

‘’I am from Baruten Local Government, in Gwanara district specifically. We call ourselves citizens of Benin Republic because we are not sure if we are part of Kwara state. From Gwanara, we travel to Saki in Oyo state for medical treatments and some even die on the road while going’.”

“Others go to Benin Republic for medical treatments too, because we really lack everything at Baruten especially Gwanara district’.”

This is why Kwara Must Change is forced to ask the Kwara State government if Baruten Local Government is no longer part of Kwara State. If they are part of the State, why is Kwara State government not responsible for those living in Baruten and why are they completely abandoned over the years?

It is important to note that, the Kwara State governor, Senator representing Kwara North and other office holders often go to Baruten during electioneering campaigns. When they go there, they make all sorts of promises, but after getting into office, they forget the people.

We contend that if the government cannot build an ordinary road into Baruten Local Government, how would they provide schools, medical facilities, and other infrastructural developments?

Kwara Must Change is hereby calling on the Kwara State government to tell the people of Baruten their fate, whether or not they remain part of Kwara State and Nigeria in extension.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Kwara Must Change

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Residents Of Kwara Local Gov’t Denounces Nigeria, Claims Benin Republic