By Mumini Abdulkareem
A two-time former member of the House of Representatives and former commissioner for Works, Engr. Kola Shittu will emerge the new Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Pilot learnt, last night.
Other notable politicians in the state whose name made the list of the new executives of the party include Rasak Lawal, a former commissioner for special duties under the administration of governor, late Mohammed Lawal, who is expected to be named the Secretary, a former House of Representatives aspirant from Baruten, Alhaji Muhammed Sanni (Vice Chairman), former member of the House of Assembly and one-time chairman of the Kwara state Scholarship Board, Hon Isiaka Mogaji (Organising Secretary).
Others are; former chairman of the Dinner Committee of the Ilorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barr. Biodun Dada and former Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Ramat Oganija who retained her position in the new arrangement.
However the names of the Youth Leader and Treasurer among other positions in the PDP could not be ascertained before this paper went to bed, last night.
This development is coming on the heels of the conclusion of the harmonisation committee set up by the Kwara State chapter of the PDP in conjunction with its leadership which decided on zoning for the positions.
The committee which is headed by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad with former minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman and a former speaker, Babatunde Muhammed as members among others where mandated to look into the allocation of positions between the old and new members of the PDP.
This medium had reported how the committee jettisoned the 60-40 ratio sharing template between the old and new members approved by the national leadership of the party, it was gathered last night.
Speaking on the issue, a top source from Kwara Central who confided in National Pilot, said the party zoned the party Chairmanship to Kwara South, Vice Chairman to Kwara North and Secretary to Kwara Central among other arrangements.
Another reliable source who confirmed the new development added that in the spirit of the new dawn in the party, four local governments conceded the position of party chairman to Saraki.
They include Isin, Irepodun and two local governments from Kwara Central and Kwara North. But another source informed this medium that only three local governments were ceded to the old members of the PDP.
According to the source, “The post of the chairman has been zoned to Kwara South and Engr. Kola Shittu has emerged the preferred candidate.
“The full list of executives will soon be released with that of other portfolios. Majorly both parties are almost home and dry and the new arrangement may be announced this week.
“The Saraki camp also conceded four local governments to the former PDP in Irepodun and Isin in the South and one each in the North and Central among the 16 local governments. But we are also getting information that the North may have the remaining. They were also given all the chairmen of the wards, women leader and treasurer while the old PDP had the vice chairman, women leader and secretary.” he added.
But another source told this medium that only three local councils where ceded to the old members of the PDP which include Irepodun, Isin and Baruten.
