Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tension gripped Agaka community in Kwara State on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when the Kwara Central All Progressives Congress Women Leader, Alhaja Tawakalitu Agaka, popularly known as Hajia Tawa, narrowly escaped being lynched after suspected supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party stormed an empowerment programme she organised at her family residence. The event, which was initially proceeding peacefully, included the distribution of cash gifts to about 200 widows, women, and youths as an act of thanksgiving. However, the atmosphere quickly turned hostile when a group of youths believed to be PDP supporters marched to the venue and attempted to disrupt the programme.
Agaka, who is also a relative of the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Kale Kawu, found herself at the centre of a politically charged confrontation. According to accounts from the event, the PDP supporters were unhappy with the decision to hold the empowerment programme at the location, which they described as the political base of Kawu and also the family residence of Agaka. What followed was a tense standoff captured in a viral video obtained by SaharaReporters, which shows some people at the scene shouting "ole" (thief) through loudspeakers and microphones as tension escalated. In the footage, a group of young men could be heard calling out Agaka and chanting "Sai Kayi" (You are the one), while security operatives moved to prevent them from gaining access to the area where the APC women leader was located.
The youths were reportedly heard issuing threats to assault Agaka if she proceeded with the empowerment programme. Security personnel formed a barrier between the protesting youths and the APC women leader, preventing them from getting close to her as the situation became increasingly tense. The disruption has raised concerns among members and supporters of the APC in Kwara Central, with some expressing dismay over what they described as unruly conduct capable of escalating political tensions in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections. Some APC members said the incident was an attempt to introduce political thuggery and hooliganism into Kwara politics, warning that such conduct could undermine peaceful political participation if allowed to continue.
The governor's aide, Ibraheem Abdullateef, accused supporters of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Kale Kawu, of reintroducing political thuggery into Kwara State. Abdullateef argued that the reaction of Kwara residents was justified, describing the incident as an attack allegedly orchestrated by supporters of Saraki and Kawu. "Are we just having different politicians from one house? What is the crime in that?" Abdullateef asked. He said such practices had been stamped out under the Abdulrazaq administration and urged Kwarans to condemn what he described as "anti-democratic behaviour" and reject the PDP at the polls.
The APC Kwara Central Chairman, Alhaji Memudu Turawa, condemned the alleged attack and called on the Nigeria Police Force and relevant traditional authorities to investigate the incident. The party said political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into violence, harassment, or intimidation, stressing that citizens have the right to pursue their political aspirations in a peaceful environment. The APC challenged the PDP to focus on convincing Kwara voters through policies and programmes rather than intimidation. The party further warned against a return to what it described as the political atmosphere of previous election cycles, stating, "This is neither 2003, 2007 nor 2011 when dissents were muzzled without appropriate consequences". As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify, the incident in Agaka serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of political peace in Kwara State and the urgent need for all parties to embrace tolerance and issues-based campaigns.
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