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The Kwara South Development Advancement Initiative (KSDAI) has expressed deep concern over the comments made by Most Reverend Israel Amao during the funeral service of the late Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, former Governor of Kwara State, held at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Oke-Onigbin.
During his sermon, Rev. Amao reportedly stated that “pensioners are suffering under the watch of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” while lamenting insecurity and the poor state of rural roads in Kwara South. He was quoted as saying:
“People who served this state and retired since 2019, 2020, 2021 — up till 2025 — are still waiting for their gratuities. When will they be paid? This is unfair, Mr Governor. Before we end this service, we will call you out to commit these people.”
However, the group noted that the remarks were misguided and factually inaccurate, adding that the current administration has made significant progress in addressing pension and gratuity arrears inherited from previous governments.
According to official records, the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration inherited gratuity debts dating back to 2008, and has since paid over ₦20 billion toward clearing them. This includes ₦12 billion for local government pensioners and ₦8 billion for state-level payments.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor also clarified that:
“The government has cleared gratuities from 2009 to around June 2011 for local governments, with staggered payments made across subsequent years up to 2024.
We met pension arrears from 2013, but today, Kwara State owes no pension debt at either state or local government levels. With monthly releases of ₦250 million at both levels, this administration has gone far beyond what was left undone since 2008.”
The group emphasized that Reverend Amao himself served under the previous administrations that created the backlog of debts he now criticizes. Between 2003 and 2015, he held multiple political appointments, including:
Chairman, Kwara State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (2003–2007 and 2011–2015);
Chairman, Kwara State Library Board (2008–2011); and Chairman, Fact-Finding Committee on the Kwara State College of Education, Oro (2006).
“It is therefore disheartening,” the statement reads, “that a cleric who benefitted immensely from the same administrations that owed pensioners could turn around to mislead the public against a government that has been working to clean up the mess.”
The KSDAI also described as misleading Rev. Amao’s criticism of the state of roads in Oke-Onigbin, noting that the Isin Township Road project was handled by TAHL Engineering Ltd, a company owned by Mr. Segun Adebayo, son of the late Chief Cornelius O. Adebayo.
“Available information indicates that the contractor abandoned the project after collecting government funds,” the group revealed.
The group further cautioned against turning the church pulpit into a platform for political attacks, urging clerics to maintain neutrality and uphold moral balance.
“The altar is meant for spiritual edification, not political commentary. Turning the pulpit into a political podium undermines the sanctity of worship and divides the congregation along partisan lines,” the statement added.
While acknowledging Reverend Amao’s long service to God and humanity, the group insisted that he owes the government and people of Kwara State an apology for his reckless and unverified statements.
“As an old citizen and a respected religious leader, it is not too late for Reverend Amao to tender an unreserved apology to the government and people of Kwara State. This is not a time to sow division or resentment, but a time to unite and build a better Kwara.”
The statement was signed by Gabriel Jolayemi,
President, Kwara South Development Advancement Initiative (KSDAI).
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