By Mumini Abdulkareem
The gubernatorial bid of former House of Representatives member for Ilorin West/Asa, Hon Moshood Mustapha officially kicked off on Monday in Ilorin with a formal declaration that witnessed large crowd under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event which was held at Arca Santa event Center along Ajase-Ipo road, Ilorin was attended by various groups and associations across the sixteen local governments in the state with branded and colorful T-shirts displaying some of the blueprints in his manifestoes if elected.
His wife, Mrs Oluwaoyin, former running mate to Simeon Ajibola in the 2015 election, Yinka Aluko who is running for Senate and onetime Secretary to the State Government, Cook AbdulGaniy Olododo, a House of Representatives aspirant of the APC added colour to the event.
There were performances by local and contemporary musicians from the state who thrilled the audience to different political songs to eulogise Mustapha.
Speaking during the occasion, Mustapha who hinged his blueprint on Sustainable Economic Development, Inclusive Governance and Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation acronymed as (SIP), said he determined to bring uncommon development to the state as a grassroots person adding that Kwarans deserve better and the state can achieve more than the current situation.
“Kwara is richly blessed with human and natural resources but all these are not properly exploited for the development of our noble state. Human capacity development should be the fulcrum of any government…
He said the time has come for the APC to “put our political differences aside and fight for a Kwara where everyone will be a key stakeholder in Kwara’s project; and a Kwara that is economically viable for all.
He said his decision to contest was taken after due consideration of the plethora of challenges confronting “our state, as well as consultation of key stakeholders in our great party, APC.
He implored the leadership of the party to give room for internal democracy where every aspirant should be given a level playing ground so as to achieve a rancour free Primary election adding that whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer should bear in mind that there is no victor or vanquished.
He debunked speculation in and outside APC that he is a mole in the APC.
