…rancour in Irepodun as contenders intensify lobby
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The search for a gubernatorial running mate in the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took another dimension last night as the party has reportedly decided to consider the inclusion of a female candidate among those that have shown interest in the race, National Pilot reliably gathered.
The development is coming on the heels of the reported zoning of the Deputy Governor’s ticket to Irepodun, Kwara South region of the state.
Following the emergence of the immediate past Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Hon Razak Atunwa as the PDP’s governorship candidate in next year’s election, the issue of who deputises him has been raging among contenders.
A source who spoke on the issue with our reporter last night under very strict anonymity said among the criteria being considered by the party on the female candidate is a retired civil servant from Irepodun who will be “able to effectively complement the efforts of the Governor in the task of building Kwara State.
Asked those the party is already considering in its decision to expand the scope of its shop list, the source said, “That is still in the pipeline for now. But the leadership of the party is seriously considering it also.
“Although, it has been in the pipeline, many top members in the party’s hierarchy who are in the know, will tell you, the party is not ruling that out this time,” the source added.
Meanwhile the race for who emerges the Deputy Governor to Aunwa among contenders in Irepodun Local Government Area continued last night as contenders intensified their lobby.
The issue, a source in the know confided in our reporter has even degenerated to rancour of sort among them.
“Mr A is working against Mr B’s interest and vice-versa and they have been reaching out to top stakeholders within and outside the community to ensure the party considers them to fill the position”.
Those said to be in the race include a two-term member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola, former commissioner III in the Local Government Service Commission and immediate past secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bode Adekanye, former member of the Kwara House of Assembly in the seventh legislature, Elder David Bamidele, and Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Labour Matters and Students Affairs, Comrade Bisi Fakayode and his Agriculture and Rural Water Support Service counterpart, Hon. Anu Ibiwoye.
While some of the contenders are reportedly flouting qualifications, loyalty and long service and sacrifice to the dynasty, others are reportedly flying the implementation of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run in the state which was recently championed by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and passed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
