…Speaker, SSG to emerge from senatorial district
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The leadership of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kwara State has resolved to shift power to Kwara North Senatorial District in 2023, if elected.
The party also agreed to zone the position of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to the north.
To this end, the Senate President and national leader of the PDP, Dr. Bukola Saraki led other stakeholders and party leaders to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify the agreement.
With this development, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Hon Razak Atunwa will spend only one term if the party wins the forthcoming election scheduled for March 2, 2019.
It was gathered that traditional rulers from the zone as well as the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Gambari witnessed and endorsed the MoU.
In a press conference following the MoU last night, the Director-General of Mandate 2019 in the state and former minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman who was supported by the party’s chairman, Alhaji Kola Shittu said the region will deliver bloc votes for the PDP.
The statement read in parts: “About an hour ago, the PDP Kwara State leadership just completed a meeting with leaders of thought from the Kwara North Senatorial District. The meeting was also attended by leaders of the party across the state.
‘The sole purpose of the meeting was for us to have an understanding on specific terms on issues bordering on power shift, cohesion, giving sense of belonging and inclusiveness to our people across all the three Senatorial Districts.
‘The conclusion of the meeting is that there will be power shift to Kwara North in 2023. Also, the positions of Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Secretary to Kwara State Government have been zoned to Kwara North in the post – May 2019 government.
‘The understanding has been committed to writing and signed by all key stakeholders present.
‘The stakeholders present at the meeting include, the national leader of the PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, gubernatorial candidate of the party, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, Director-General of Mandate 2019, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, Kwara State PDP Chairman, Engr. Kola Shittu and other leaders of the party in the three Senatorial districts.
“Traditional rulers from Kwara North Senatorial District and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari were consulted on the understanding and they gave their royal blessing to the terms and contents.
“In their separate remarks, the traditional rulers expressed support for any move that will ensure equity, justice and unity among all the various zones in the state. They also noted that their decision to serve as witnesses is based on the need to ensure that political leaders honour and respect the contents of the understanding and work for peace and progress of the state before, during and after the general elections.
“Also, in return, the people of Kwara North have agreed to deliver bloc votes from the zone to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general elections.
“We believe this understanding aimed at re-enforcing the unity, harmony and even development of our dear state is definitely necessary for the continued progress of Kwara State now and in future.”
