Parties meet to streamline contestants
Plus list of interested aspirants so far
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Despite the cloud of uncertainty hovering around the conduct of the forthcoming local government elections in Kwara State, the race for the council chairmanship and councilors have began in earnest among the political parties, National Pilot can report.
Following the suspension of the local government chairmen, their vices and councilors, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is yet to announce any further decision on the matter fueling speculations that the polls might not hold.
The apprehension has further been fueled by the failure yet of the governor to reconstitute the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), the body charged with the responsibility to organise and supervise the conduct of the poll.
To this end, there has been a growing concern especially among the opposition whether the election would hold few months to the end of the tenures of the suspended council chairmen expected to lapse in November.
Recall that the Supreme Court has recently ruled against the appointment of sole administration and caretaker committees by governors to superintend activities at the councils.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hajia Ahman Pategi told National Pilot in a telephone chat on Sunday was not forthcoming on the issue simply. She simply details about the conduct of exercise will made available when it is ready.
โAs soon as information over the conduct of the exercise is ready, it will be made availableโ, she added.
One of the suspended council chairmen who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is difficult to say anything on the issue adding that โwhat is paramount for us is now how we can return back to the officeโ.
In his reply to a text message, Kwara APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro said there was still time for the government to put in place all necessary things before the expiration of the tenure of suspended council chairmen.
โWe are preparing to contest and win all the available seats. There is still time to put all the necessary structure in place before the expiration of the tenure of the present (suspended) councilโ, he added.
But chairman of the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Lekan Alabi told National Pilot last night that they are watching the situation keenly and will respond at the appropriate. He added that the party will not however be caught unaware in terms of participation once the nod has been given.
โThe election is supposed to come up before the end of year but nothing has been said. We are expecting the government to come out with its programme. But we are watching the situation very keenly and soon we will come out with a release over the issue.
In his reaction, the chairman of the opposition PDP, Engr Kola Shittu said โThe government has not roll out its programmes for the election and a number of things must take place before we can talk of the election according to law. Why we hope that the election will take place, we are expecting the government to make arrangement and necessary schedules for the poll. But nobody can say now that it will take place. By law, the tenure of the existing ones though suspended should end in November. Ideally, we should have the election around September and we need about three months to prepare after the constitution of KWASIEC. But as a party, we are always on our toes.
โThe Governor has to shed light on whether it would hold or not. Those who want to show interest to contest as party members can do so but they should have at the back of their mind that there is no clear road yet for the timetable.
His position was collaborated by the partyโs PRO, Tunde Ashaolu who said the โsituation is worrisome that KWASIEC was yet to be constituted and the tenure of the suspended chairmen will soon lapsed.
โIf it holds and a free and fair process is guaranteed, we believe that the handwriting is already on the wall and an impending red card awaits the APC because Kwarans have seen what is on groundโ, he added.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the parties at the ward levels hasscheduled meetings to streamline the activities of candidates that have already shown interest in the race.
Many of the interested aspirants have taken to the social media to announce their aspiration.
According a former member of the House of Assembly who spoke on the issue, their party at the ward level has scheduled Tuesday for another rounds of meeting to know those who are serious and not adding that this is beyond a social media campaign.
Some of those that have already signified interest from the both PDP and APC across the local governments include:
Moro
Moshood Alaka (APC)
Alhaji Mahmud AbdulSalam Afolabi (APC)
Mahmud AbdulKareem (APC)
Ganiyu Alikinla (APC)
Toyin Ayinla (APC)
Ilorin South
Moshood Onila (PDP)
Ladi Agbaoja (PDP)
Taiye Alaya(PDP)
Hon Mojeed Bolakale Podo (APC)
Issa Alfulani (APC)
Olayinka Erubu (APC)
Ilorin West LG
Prince Sulyman Saikai (APC)
Hon Mufutau Aromaradu (PDP)
Hon Abdulkadir Orire(PDP)
Ilorin East Local Government
Hon Daro Alao (APC)
Hon Dare (PDP)
Ifelodun
Dr Rafiu Ajiboye (APC)
Alhaji Fatai Akorede (APC)
Arc Lukman Abubakar (APC)
Alhaji Lateef Quadri (APC)
Alhaji Toyin Otolorin (APC)
Kamarudeen Omotunde (APC)
Mr. Sogo (APC)
Alhaja Rasheedah (APC)
Malam Rafiu Subair (APC)
Irepodun
Bar Teju Oguntoye (APC)
Mr. Sunday Abolaji (APC)
Shola Odetundun (APC)
Dr. Seyi Adigun (APC)
Hon. Olanrewaju Oyeniyi (PDP)
Lafiagi
Baba Ssasaniko (APC)
Baba Lafiagi (APC)
Ya’baba Mandu (APC)
Nda Emi Ndagura (APC).
Nda Lafiagi (APC)
Oyun
Prince Nurudeen Adesoye (APC)
Isin
Hon Segun Abatan (PDP)
Alh. Rafiu Ogunlade (APC)
Akesin Segun Okunloye (APC)
Mr Bayo Adeoye (APC)
Elder Oladimeji (APC)
Jide Ogunyemi (APC)
