Otoge Founders Say Movement Was Built by Ordinary Kwarans, Not Occasional Visitors

Mary Nnah

Thirty-eight founding leaders of the Otoge Movement have stated that the movement was built by ordinary Kwarans through years of sacrifice, grassroots mobilisation, and commitment.

They expressed concern that recent activities by the G15 group risk misrepresenting that history. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the founders said the Otoge movement remains the collective effort of millions of Kwarans who came together in 2019 for accountability, development, and better governance.”The Otoge movement was not created to serve individual interests. It belongs to every Kwaran who remained committed to the struggle before, during, and after 2019,” the statement said.

“No individual or group can lay exclusive claim to the movement’s identity or legacy.”The leaders noted that many members of the G15 travelled to Ilorin recently for a gathering. According to them, such brief visits do not reflect the years of work done by those who stayed and sustained the movement from the beginning.
“History cannot be rewritten through occasional appearances. Ownership comes from consistency and service at the grassroots,” they said.
The founders also referenced two recent gatherings in the state. They described one as a large community rally that brought together thousands of members and supporters, which later proceeded to the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace to seek royal blessings.

They contrasted this with the G15 meeting, which they said involved leaders travelling to Ilorin for engagements before returning. They added that an attempt by the G15 to access the Emir’s Palace did not materialize because established palace protocol requires that official visits be scheduled in advance. The leaders stressed that respected traditional institutions should remain neutral and should not be drawn into public disagreements.

They further expressed concern about divisive language and materials circulating, warning that such narratives can weaken unity and mutual respect within the community.
“Hostile rhetoric does not reflect the values on which Otoge was built,” they stated. The founding leaders called for dialogue and urged members of the G15 and other concerned persons with grievances to pursue reconciliation through proper community and constitutional channels, rather than through public campaigns that could undermine collective progress. Reaffirming their commitment to the founding principles, they said: “The Otoge movement remains a people’s movement built on courage, consistency, loyalty, and service, not personal ambition. Anyone seeking to associate with the Otoge name must first demonstrate fidelity to its founding values.

.”The statement was jointly signed by Hon. Raji Atolagbe Muhammad, Alhaji Rahim Alamoyo, Alhaji Issa Amosa Afon, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, Prof. Abdulraheem Sheu Adaramaja, Alhaji Mustapha Kobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji, Alhaji Baba Alapa, Alhaji Rasaq Jiddah, Alhaji Abdulganiu Cook Olododo, Alhaji Illiasu Abdulrahman, Alhaji Saadu Salau, Alhaji Abdullah Ahmed Sabi, Alhaji Aliyu Mohamed, Alhaji Saadu Laaro, Elder Abodunrin Kolade Julius, Mohammed Abdullahi Ndako, Baba Santali, Mohamed Abdulrahman Wali, Hon. Ismaila Haliru, Shehu Jibril, Umar Madiu Abubakar, Alhaji Tajudeen Adesina, Hon. Femi Agbaje Whyte, Chief Michael Iyanda, Mrs. Adefila G. O., Alhaji Kareem Owolabi, Luku Ojo, Chief Toyin Dada, Engr. Benjamin Oyeyemi, Aliu Olayinka Theophilus, Benjamin Ayanshola, Hon. Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe, Olaitan Bashir Ibrahim, Hon. Sodiq Hameed, Dr. Solomon Olaegin, Alhaja Aminat Gbolasere (Iya Ewe), and Wosilat Idowu (Iya Alado).