By Bukola Adama
A new chapter was yesterday opened in the history of Kwara State as Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was sworn-in as the seventh democratically elected Governor of the state.
The Governor who was sworn-in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Durosinlorun Kawu 10:05am at a low-key inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Ilorin, emphasised that there would be a complete paradigm shift from the past and evolvement of a state that works for all.
He further explained that his government would leave no stone unturned to turn the state around and ensure a good sense of social justice, ability to expand social and political spaces that will promote tolerance, equality and innovation.
According to him, “What we have lacked before now are dependable and sustainable development plans, credible policies, policy discipline, accountability and transparency, a good sense of social justice and ability to expand social and political spaces that will promote tolerance, equality and innovation”.
The Governor further stressed that his government’s goal in office was not to lament over the past but build confidence that a better future is possible, create enabling environment to empower people among others.
His words:”Let me state that our goal in Office is not to lament over the sad past. Rather, our goal is to build confidence that a better future is possible; create an enabling environment to empower our people and communities.
“Based on data from the research, we have been conducting on the resource base of our state, there is no doubt that we are abundantly blessed in human and material resources. I make bold to say that there is enough wealth and opportunities for everyone in this state”.
He also informed that his administration would look into how public resources had been applied in the past to turn around page for the state in its quest for socio-economic development.
“We are confident that we shall, together, make Kwara great again through prudent deployment of resources, involving the people in policy making, interrogating past decisions only to the extent that they enable us to move forward”, Abdulrazaq averred.
The Governor maintained that his administration would welcome constructive criticism, reach out to Kwarans to own the government and look forward to a new dawn that ushers in economic growth and equal opportunities for everyone.
“In all our policies, programmes and actions, the people of Kwara shall always come first. Today, I invite you all to join hands with us in Government to repair and rebuild Kwara. I invite constructive criticism and urge you all to utilise our open door policy to communicate ideas and suggestions to us.
“What we stand for is to empower our people. Make society and life better. Strengthen family values. Improve efficiency and service delivery in our public services.
“Revamp our education to produce the best minds that will in turn make Kwara second to none. Promote industry, agriculture, technology and social services and open up new vistas of opportunities that will promote the common good”, the Governor assured.
He, however, attributed the APC victory at the polls to the collective efforts of the people, saying the new government would therefore make the masses the focus of its policies.
The Governor later received the handover note from the immediate past Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Dupe Oluwole.
Ahmed congratulated Abdulrazaq and urged him to have trust in God to direct him in piloting the affairs of the state.
She disclosed that the outgoing administration left N5bn (receipts) in the public coffers while the state had also recently benefited from a $750m World Bank grant for some development projects.
…fails to announce SSG, CoS as JAMB director emerges frontline candidate
Mumini Abdulkareem
The new Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq failed to announce his Secretary to the State Government (SSG) or Chief of Staff (CoS) two very key positions whose announcements were widely expected, yesterday, by residents of the state.
The action of the new administration varied from the scenarios of some others like Oyo which announced some key positions and decisions on the first day of the swearing-in.
It was gathered that the development was not unconnected with the high wire intrigues and lobbying from various contending forces among the party bigwigs for their candidates to get the highly sought after portfolios among various senatorial districts of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Kwara North have clamoured and demanded for the position of SSG among other top party positions, the position of CoS has come under serious contest from interested forces in Kwara Central.
It was gathered that the issue has caused serious clash of interests between the governor and top party members who viewed Abdulrazaq’s silence and the decision to keep things close to his chest despite the intrigues the issue has attracted as worrisome.
According to top party sources who spoke on the issue, the silence of the APC especially on the issue of zoning of positions and strong agitations from senatorial districts has compounded the problem.
Also, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state especially from Kwara North have also reportedly made serious moves to be considered for the position of SSG.
The Governor and his deputy are from Kwara Central and South respectively.
Meanwhile, this reporter gathered last night that additional names have surfaced in contest for the positions among which is a Director of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja, Yusuf Lawal who is a friend to the brother of the Governor, Alimi Abdulrazaq and one Oyebiyi from Moro local government.
According to a source who spoke on the matter, the disagreement between the interested gladiators is the main reason the Governor failed to make any announcement regarding these positions as widely expected adding that the JAMB Director might be announced this week as the CoS or SSG.
Recall that this medium had on Monday exclusively reported those being considered for the top portfolios.
They include; Elder Wole Oke from Moro local government, ex- commissioner for Solid Minerals, Aliu Lade and former Head of Service during the tenure of late Governor Mohammed Lawal, AbdulRahman Sheu. Party sources also listed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Haruna Jibril as one of the interested PDP members in the state eyeing the SSG position.
For the position of the Chief of Staff, it was gathered that former Commissioner of Lands and Housing and cousin to Dele Belgore, Kale Belgore, former PDP gubernatorial running mate, Yinka Aluko and the Director General, Management, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), who is a brother to serving Judge, Justice Titi Daibu, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode.
Others include former governorship aspirants of the APC in the last gubernatorial election in the state and son of late Governor Mohammed Lawal, Hakeem Lawal and Director-General of the campaign team of the Governor, Amb. Yahaya Seriki.
