Over joyed residents hail PDP guber flag bearer
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general election, Hon Razak Atunwa has commenced the grading and rehabilitation of community roads in Ilorin.
Atunwa who represents Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency at the House of Representatives said the decision to embark on the grading of the roads was to complement the efforts of the government in the provision of social and infrastructural facilities for the benefit of the people.
While flagging off the project at Oke-Fomo/Gaa-Saka axis in Ilorin on Saturday under the Atunwa Road Restoration Projects, the governorship aspirant said the grading will be extended to other parts of Kwara Central and the state in general adding that it was part of his personal contribution to the development of the state and to assist motorists and pedestrians.
Shout of โAtunwa is our ownโ, โwe believe in youโ and โKwara will be greater with your leadershipโ by the residents rented the air while the lawmaker inspected the level of work done so far.
At the headquarters of the Vigilantes in Gaa Saka in Ilorin, Atunwa who underscored the importance of the outfit to the security and social wellbeing in the state said he would further work with the union to secure the state.
He said if elected by the grace of God, he will make Kwara state his constituency and work with all the relevant stakeholders to better the lots of the people.
โThis project is personally funded by me and it was meant to complement the government in the provision of infrastructural facilities. This is not about campaign because it is not yet time for that but driven by the will to contribute and play my part to the growth of Kwara.
โI am not the type that will assume that now that I have emerged the party’s governorship candidate, there is no need to continue to work for the people and I should go and sleep with the hope that you will vote for me. But my emergence this time has only further strengthened my resolve to increase the tempo of my service to be people which we shall intensify when we get there in shaa Allahโ, he added.
In his reaction, the Seriki Ndaji of Ilorin and chairman of Kwara state Vigilantes Union, Alhaji Jimoh AbdulRaheem endorsed Atunwa’s candidacy adding that they are in full support and will work to ensure his emergence as governor next year.
Also, Alhaji Saka Ibrahim, a former Division Police Officer (DPO) for Adewole Police station Ilorin corroborated the Seriki Ndaji and appeal to Atunwa not to neglect them after his emergence.
Members of Atunwa’s entourage to the ceremony include former Chairman, Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji Toyin Sanusi, MD/Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot newspapers, Alhaji Billy Adedamola, former Commissioner for Sports, Kale Ayo, former chairman of Offa local government council, Segun Olawoyin and Commissioner I at the Kwara state SUBEB, Alhaji Wahab Bolakale among others.
โฆsays Saka Isau, a dependable ally in Saraki’s political dynasty
The Kwara state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election, Hon Razak Atunwa has described Saka Isau (SAN) as a big brother and a dependable ally in the Saraki political dynasty.
Isau was among the nine PDP aspirants who lost the ticket to Atunwa after he stepped down from the race.
The former Kwara House of Assembly speaker lauded Isau for his style of politicking during a courtesy visit of the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice campaign team led by its Director-General, Barrister Sikiru Solagberu at his residence on Saturday in Ilorin.
In a press statement signed by the Director of Publicity and Communications of the Isau’s campaign organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu, Atunwa said Isau’s wealth of experience in the political system was brought to bear during the party’s primary election adding that his campaign was based on ‘issues and egalitarianism’.
Atunwa appreciated the kind gestures and love Isau has shown since he (Atunwa) emerged as the PDP flag-bearer and promised that his government will be an all-inclusive one that will be based on equity and justice.
He attributed his emergence as the PDP candidate for the gubernatorial seat to God’s grace.
The statement read in parts: “My doors will be widely opened for consultations and advice if given the mandate of the people in the forthcoming poll.
“During the primary election, I emphasised that every aspirants qualified for the seat because we all came from late Baba Olusola Saraki political dynasty but my emergence today is by the grace of God”.
Earlier in his speech, Solagberu stressed that the choice of Atunwa for the PDP flag bearer is a round peg in a round hole.
Solagberu further maintained that Hon. Atunwa is a man of integrity and a loyalist of the party and national leader of PDP and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
He however promised that his team will work assiduously to ensure resounding victories of the party candidates in the poll.
