The gubernatorial agitation in Kwara North Senatorial district in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed a new dimension this week following the reported endorsement of a former Commissioner in the state by stakeholders in Moro as their aspirant for the 2019 race Pilot Politics has learnt.
Kayode Isa, who served as Commissioner for Health during the first tenure of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was said to have been picked after a “strategic meeting” held at the residence of a prominent leader of the local government at an undisclosed location in Ilorin.
The Moro meeting was said to have been convened as a result of the alleged failure of other local governments in the distinct to carry it along in the quest to produce the next governor of the state come 2019.
The race for the 2019 top seat in the state has reportedly heightened political permutations between Kwara central and Kwara north with many of the gladiators already making spirited but clandestine attempt to emerged the party’s flag bearer.
This development is coming just as the former commissioner has kept mum over the issue.
Contacted last night on telephone for his comment over the alleged endorsement, Isa said he was not in the country.
His response to the text message sent to him was still being awaited after over four hours before this paper went to bed.
A source who was privy to the meeting told our reporter last night that those at the meetings include the youth, elders and other “top members” of the local government.
“After an appraisal of the political situation in the state, stakeholders in Moro met in Ilorin at the residence of a prominent leader of the local government and resolved to pick its preferred aspirant for the gubernatorial race.
“Before now, some traditional rulers in Kwara North from Kaiama, Edu, Patigi and Baruten had met with the Senate President and leader of the party in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki where they presented their case.
“It was after that move and the allegation of an outsider treatment allegedly meted out to Moro that prompted the Ilorin meeting and the subsequent endorsement of Kayode Isa, the former commissioner”, the source submitted.
It was not clear last night when they intend to meet the Saraki to also table their case.
…Sobi FM boss’ banner surfaces in Ilorin
Ahead 2019 gubernatorial election in Kwara State, banner of the proprietor of Sobi FM, Alhaji Lukman Mustapha has surfaced in Ilorin.
The colourful banner with the inscription “Support Alhaji Lukman Mustapha… Kwara 2019 as Governor” featured two different portraits of the politician in suit and native attires strategically displayed at the Post Office area underneath the popular flyover.
The banner has been described by pundits as one of the signs of the readiness of Mustapha to make a public pronouncement on his ambition soon
Since the banner surfaced in Ilorin, Mustapha has neither openly endorsed nor denied having anything to do with it.
Although, no party symbol or logo appeared on the banner, Lukman is expected to vie for the ticket under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
While the PDP official colours is presented in white, red and green, the banner was presented in red, black and white,
Recently, Mustapha was one of the prominent figures that converged on Gari-Alimi to commission the Ilorin West Secretariat of the PDP.
He has also reportedly secured a “befitting campaign office” located “somewhere around Taiwo Oke area in Ilorin”, fully furnished and equipped with the necessary facilities.
Recall that Mustapha had said he was under intense pressure from friends and close associates to contest the gubernatorial race.
Although the former bank chief has not officially declared his ambition or the party to actualise his alleged gubernatorial interest, he is being widely touted as a potential frontline candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him “the call for me to contest the governorship seat in 2019 is deafening and I thanked the people making it for their conviction in my abilities and qualities.
“I have been inundated with the talk about it (the guber race). People have been saying all sorts, my associates and friends included. But the question I keep asking myself is ‘why are people saying this? For me, it’s like someone that is being touted for an Imam. There must be something that must have been seen in the person before such position could be suggested and there are criteria for that too.
“So for me, the noise is deafening, I can hear it and can’t pretend not to, but what I know is that they must have found some values and virtues in me to be saying this and I thank them”.
