Kwara Community Fumes Over Transformer Siting in Politician’s Father’s Compound, Government Counters Allegations, Cites Security Concerns

By Omowumi Omotosho

Residents of Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State have expressed outrage over the alleged diversion of a public electricity transformer into the private compound of Alhaji Buhari Mohammed Makama, father of Sadiq Buhari, Special Adviser to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Social Investment.

The community alleges that the transformer, originally meant to serve the general public, was surreptitiously relocated and installed in Makama’s residence in defiance of prior communal agreements. According to a community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “This transformer was meant for the entire Tsaragi community. It is a public asset, not a private inheritance.

“Just because his son holds a political office does not give him the right to hijack what belongs to everyone. It is unacceptable.

“A NEPA (Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company -IBEDC) official known as Isa Afro claimed that the Emir of Tsaragi approved the recommendation and directed that one of the transformers be sited in Makama’s compound. However, this is a blatant lie and far from the truth.”

The controversy has ignited tension among locals, many of whom view the move as a gross abuse of power and privilege. Residents are now calling on the Kwara State government and relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that the transformer is restored to its intended public location.

Adding to the growing chorus of concern, Prince Mohammed Karatun Tsaragi issued a public statement demanding the immediate return of the 22.5kVA transformer to a communal space.

“Let me ask a simple question: how many transformers do we currently have installed in public places in Tsaragi? All the transformers that have served this community for decades have been placed openly in public spaces.

“But now, suddenly, a new transformer is being installed inside a private compound, all in the name of ‘preventing vandalism’?

“We are watching closely. And let it be clear that this shady arrangement won’t last forever. I know there are many people in Tsaragi who are unhappy with this but are too afraid to speak up because of Makama. Rest assured, Makama will not remain in power forever. I’m certain,” he said.

Mohammed also wrote a formal letter on July 15, 2025, to the Executive Chairman of Edu LGA, Abdullahi Bello Ndamongoro, seeking clarification on the matter. In the letter, he questioned whether the transformer was officially allocated for community use or handed over as a personal gift, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in local governance.

He noted that the Emir of Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Goshi, has never installed a public transformer in his residence, making this case particularly troubling.

Although the Tsaragi community did not hold Makama solely responsible, their primary concern is directed at the leadership of the local government, which they accuse of acting based on biased and opaque decisions. The incident, according to the community, undermines the core values of fairness, public accountability, and responsible governance.

Writing on behalf of the people, Prince Mohammed called for the immediate relocation of the transformer back to its intended public site and urged that the entire process be reviewed through a transparent and verifiable audit.

The letter further warned that if these concerns are not urgently addressed, the community would be left with no alternative but to bring the issue to the public domain and formally petition the state government to investigate what they described as the unjust concentration of public infrastructure for private benefit.

“We are writing on behalf of the people of Tsaragi and its surrounding communities to request an immediate clarification regarding the 22.5kVA transformer recently allocated to Tsaragi.

“There is growing concern and confusion, as we have received numerous distress calls and messages indicating that this transformer, believed to be part of the second phase of an ongoing project under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq—is allegedly being diverted for the personal benefit of the Makama of Tsaragi.

“We demand to know whether this transformer was officially allocated for the benefit of the entire Tsaragi community or gifted as a personal item to an individual.

“If the latter is true, it raises serious questions about the transparency and fairness of local governance. Are public resources and funds meant only for a small circle of cronies in Tsaragi?” The statement read.

In a twist to the ongoing saga, fresh details emerged from the Edu Local Government Council, offering a counter-narrative. The Development Officer for Edu LGA, Hon. Haruna Likpata, in a statement issued on Monday, dismissed allegations of misappropriation, insisting that the transformer was procured for public use at the Tsaragi Ya’nna junction.

According to Likpata, a contractor mistakenly began constructing a base for the transformer near Makama’s house, which was not in line with the council’s original directive. He further explained that the decision to request placement within a private compound was driven by genuine security concerns.

He explained that the intended installation area along Bacita junction is currently sparsely populated, making valuable infrastructure vulnerable to cable vandalization, an issue the Council has reportedly documented in isolated areas within Edu LGA.

He added that Makama Tsaragi initially declined the request to host the transformer, but only consented after appeals were made through the Emir of Tsaragi.