By Mumini AbdulKareem
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday urged his teeming supporters not to be discouraged by the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, but rather troop out en masse to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship and House of Assembly candidates during Saturday’s election.
Saraki, who was given heroic reception on arrival at Ilorin International Airport, expressed confidence that the PDP has the number to emerge victorious in the remaining elections.
Addressing supporters at the Charity House, his Iloffa GRA residence in Ilorin, the Senate President, urged his people to close ranks and work in unison for the PDP in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Appealing to his supporters and other aggrieved stakeholders to overlook wherever the system might have erred in the overall interest of Kwara State, Saraki reminded them that “those you voted for in anger are not your people and cannot attend to your needs as we, who are your brothers will do.”
He thanked the people of the state for their support, assuring them that he would always be around to cater for their needs.
He added, “I can’t run away. My covenant with my people transcends politics. I will never abandon my people. We should not fight. I leave everything to God. I will not fight even with those they declared winners of the last weekend’s elections. We must cooperate for the governorship election. Once we do this, we shall win the election.”
The Senate President charged his followers to be more committed like the opposition’s supporters.
“We should stop internal wrangling. We shall emerge victorious in the remaining election. I’m here to assure you that I shall never abandon you, my people. The people you have voted for are not known to you. We should forgive ourselves and move forward in the interest of our state, “he stated.
…as Kwara North leaders vow to ensure Atunwa’s victory
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Stakeholders in Kwara North senatorial district under the aegis of Kwara North Leaders of Thought have expressed their readiness to work for the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Hon. Razak Atunwa during next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
They maintained that it’s only Atunwa’s victory that can guarantee the return of the governorship seat to their zone in 2023.
During a press conference in Ilorin, addressed by Alh Abubakar Ndakangi, the group called on elders, traditional institution, youths and women and most especially the political actors to put Kwara North first in any political decision they may be considering.
They reminded their kinsmen that while the leadership of the PDP in the state had entered into an agreement with the Kwara North leaders to the effect that power will rotate to the district in 2023, the opposition All Progressives Congress( APC) has kept quiet on this issue.
They opined that the APC’s candidate for the election, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq will stop at nothing to spend the maximum eight years in office, if elected as the state governor.
“Beside, put side by side, the PDP’s candidate is a better choice for the people of the state.
“He has garnered enough experience at both legislative and executive arms of government needed to perform well as the state governor.
The leaders appealed to traditional rulers to sensitise their subjects on the need for “us not to allow the golden opportunity of getting the governorship seat in 2023 offered to us by the MoU our leaders signed with the PDP’s leadership in the state.
They added: It’s true that last week, out of annoyance over some issues, we in Kwara North voted for candidates of the APC including President Buhari for his second term. This is due to our likeness for him. This time around, it is wise we reconsider our stand as Kwara North people.
“During the Presidential and National Assembly elections, we have made our point by not voting PDP candidates but for the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, we shall now support and vote for PDP candidates .
“We need to be wise and not throw away the baby with the birth water. We in Kwara North need to be strategic. We must not forget out foundation. We must not forget the basics of our struggle so that we don’t become the loser at the end of it all.
“Kwara North has been marginalised for years. We were supposed to produce the 2019 Governor but the will of God prevailed. We, therefore need to align ourselves with the party that has better offer for Kwara North.
The PDP has written a commitment that its gubernatorial candidate will only serve one term of four years. It has also allocated the speakership of the state house of assembly and office of the Secretary to the state Government to Kwara North. This is a better offer for our people. We call on our people to let us look inwards to ensure that power shift to Kwara North by 2023.
“PDP is still the only party with clear agenda for Kwara North people. We must be wise and smart in our choice so that posterity will judge us well; that we did the best thing for our people. We must consider our younger generation.”
