Usman Lade, the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, is facing growing political pressure as residents of Kwara North have launched an online petition calling for his immediate removal from office.
The petition, titled “Kwara North Public Petition: Call for the Removal of Hon. Usman Lade,” accuses the Commissioner of lacking transparency and accountability in the management of a key water project in Lafiagi.
Organisers link their demand to Lade’s recent legal actions against a local media house, NUPEKOTV-Lafiagi, which had questioned the status of the waterworks project.
According to the petitioners, Lade’s decision to pursue both a ₦10 million civil defamation suit and a criminal prosecution against the media outlet represents “a misuse of power” and an attempt to silence public scrutiny.
The petition alleges that the Commissioner falsely claimed to have completed the Lafiagi waterworks rehabilitation, even though “no visible work has been done” on the site.
Residents in Lafiagi and surrounding areas have long complained of water shortages despite government claims of successful rehabilitation efforts.
The controversy has now escalated into a full-blown political crisis, putting Lade at odds with both the local community and advocates of press freedom.
The petition form encourages the public to add their voices, stating: “Your feedback will help amplify the voice of the people and push for the kind of leadership Kwara North truly deserves.”
As the Commissioner prepares to battle on two legal fronts — one seeking ₦10 million in damages and another demanding criminal sanctions — he now faces an additional challenge: a swelling tide of public discontent within his own constituency.
SaharaReporters previously reported that despite growing security concerns and reports of incessant attacks and kidnappings in his hometown, the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Yunusa Lade, filed a direct criminal complaint against the Editor-in-Chief and sole proprietor of NUPEKOTV-Lafiagi, Tauheed Baruwa Muhammed, over an alleged defamatory publication on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Lade is from one of the communities most affected by insecurity in Patigi Local Government Area, where residents have reportedly deserted the area.
Residents have accused the Kwara State government of adopting a trend of using the police and courts to silence, arrest, detain, and remand journalists and activists who demand accountability in the state.
The complaint, filed before the Chief Magistrate Court of Kwara State in the Ilorin Magisterial District, accuses Muhammed of publishing and circulating a story titled “Hon Usman Lade, Kwara Commissioner for Water Resources Under Fire for Mismanagement and Neglect” on July 28, 2024.
According to court documents, Lade, through his counsel, alleged that the report falsely accused him of financial embezzlement of public funds, negligence, mismanagement, and incompetence in the discharge of his official duties.
The Commissioner described the post as malicious, baseless, and deliberately aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The suit further claims that Muhammed, who manages a Facebook page with over 27,000 followers, not only published the story on NUPEKOTV-Lafiagi but also circulated it across other social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, causing “maximum reputational damage” to the Commissioner.
Lade, through his Counsel, stated, “We act as Counsel to the Complainant, HON. USMAN YUNUSA LADE, an Honourable Commissioner in the Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources, do hereby make this direct criminal complaint against the Defendant, TAUHEED BARUWA MUHAMMED, as follows: The Complainant is the Honourable Commissioner of Water Resources, Kwara State, entrusted with overseeing government policies, programmes, and activities within the Ministry of Water Resources.
“Prior to his appointment, the Complainant distinguished himself as an accomplished young entrepreneur with demonstrable achievements in public service, community development, and data analysis.
“The Defendant, resident in Kwara State, is the publisher, Editor-in-Chief, and sole proprietor of NUPEKOTV-LAFIAGI Facebook page, a platform with over twenty-seven thousand (27,000) followers, which he personally manages and controls.
“On Sunday, the 28th of July, 2024, the Defendant, actuated by ill-motive, malice and vendetta, falsely and maliciously authored and published a defamatory news report on his NUPEKOTV-LAFIAGI Facebook page titled: ‘HON USMAN LADE KWARA COMM. FOR WATER RESOURCES UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT AND NEGLECT.’”
The statement said, “In the said publication, the Defendant falsely accused the Complainant of financial embezzlement of public funds, impropriety, negligence, and mismanagement, incompetence in the discharge of his public duties without justifiable basis.
“The said publication was not only disseminated on NUPEKOTV-LAFIAGI Facebook page but also further republished and circulated by the Defendant through other social media platforms and WhatsApp groups under his control, thereby ensuring wide readership and maximum reputational damage to the Complainant.
“The Defendant is the sole author, editor, publisher, and disseminator of the said libelous material and has deliberately republished same on different occasions with reckless disregard for the truth or the reputation of the Complainant.”
The complainant’s legal team has described the publication in question as false, malicious, and defamatory, asserting that it has damaged his reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, and caused significant emotional and reputational harm to him, his family, and his office.
The complainant’s counsel has urged the court to issue a criminal summons or warrant to compel the defendant to appear and respond to the charges.