Reverend Israel Amao: A call for apology on irresponsible remarks at Okeonigbin

Our attention has been drawn to comments made by Most Rev. 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, where he stated that pensioners are Suffering Under the watch of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, lamenting the poor state of rural roads, insecurity in Kwara South area of the state.

While ministering to a multitude of guests who came to honor the the late Governor Adebayo at the funeral service, Amao threw caution into the wind, to insinuate that the present administration is responsible for the suffering of pensioners in the state. ” 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 make a commitment to these people.” he stated.

However, former Governors Bukola Saraki and AbdulFatah Ahmed under whom Reverend Amao served in their 16 years administration were actually those who owed the backlog of pensions and gratuities.

Our findings show that the present administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq took gratuities burden from 2008, and are still paying it, with over N20bn paid so far. This is an administration that assumed office in 2019, inheriting arrears dating back to 2008.

In making such wild statements, the Reverend Amao forgot to appreciate the fact that he served the administration that owed the backlog of pensions and gratuities.

He was 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). This shows that he was part of the 16 years administration of Governor Saraki and Governor Ahmed respectively.

According to the Chief Press Secretary of the Governor, the administration, for the record, has cleared the burden of gratuities from 2009 to circa June 2011 for LGA. Then staggered payments have also been made to many people in the years between 2008 and 2024 as a matter of spread/equity for state level gratuities.

“No less than N12bn have been spent in that regard at LG level and N8bn at state level. So when issues of gratuities are being talked about, PDP should hide somewhere.

“It is even worse with pension. We met pension arrears from 2013. Today, we owe no pension debt in Kwara — at the state or LGA level.

“As for the pending gratuities, government will do more to further clear it. With cumulative release of N250m monthly at both levels, it is a plus that this administration has done what it has done from where the PDP left it in 2008. A lot more will be done, the CPS stated.

In keeping with the teachings of Apostle Paul, Reverend Amao is supposed to have known that leadership comes from God and attack on a sitting government because your paymasters have lost out of power does not speak well of a man who said he was called by God to be the shepherd.

Bishop Amoo further condemned the poor state of road infrastructure in Oke-Onigbin and other parts of Kwara South, describing it as both an economic burden and a security threat.

Again, the respected cleric did not investigate his assertion, before the embarrassing error.

Segun Adebayo, the son of the late Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo was actually responsible for the state of Isin township roads.

It was TAHL ENGINEERING. LTD (owned by Segun Adebayo, the son of the late C.O. Adebayo) that was awarded the contract for the construction of Isin rural road. Credible information available stated that he abandoned the project and absconded with the state government funds .

Kwarans must beware of clerics who deviate from their core spiritual values and dabble into politics and or enjoy political patronage to an extent that it affects the sense of justice and morals.

Turning the altar into a platform for political discourse weakens the resolve of members who are not of the same persuasion as you. In fact, of all places, the church is supposed to be a neutral place of worship and consolation.

True to type, Reverend Amao had enjoyed political patronage to the extent that his sense of judgement and moral compass have been completely compromised.

As a senior citizen and patriot, it is not late to tender an unreserved apology to the government of Kwara state and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for such unfounded and reckless statements.

This is not a time to preach hate but a time to heal and unite. Elections must not be seen as a do-or-die affair.