Emulate Saraki’s political maturity, INEC Commissioner tells Kwara Gov-elect, others
…as Abdulrazaq, 24 lawmakers-elect get Certificate of Return
By Mumini AbdulKareem
For his magnanimity and maturity despite the tension that characterised the general elections in the state, the Governor-elect, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and other elected members of the state House of Assembly have been advised to emulate the Senate President and national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bukola Saraki.
A National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Alhaji Mohammed Haruna gave the advise on Wednesday during the presentation of Certificate of Return to the Governor-elect and 24 elected members of the Kwara State House of Assembly at INEC office, Ilorin.
Recall that the Senate President in a surprise move after the conclusion of the polls congratulated the governor-elect and all other elected members of opposition in the state adding that they are not his enemies.
The INEC commissioner commended the people of the state for holding peaceful elections.
While appealing to the governor-elect not to see members of the opposition as his enemies, the INEC boss called on the incoming administration to “emulate the political maturity of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who on behalf of all others that lost in the election congratulated the winners and wished them well in their task to build the state”
He therefore called on the opposition to engage the incumbent on constructive criticism.
In his brief remarks at the occasion, the Governor-elect, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq promised to run an all-inclusive government that will include members of the opposition.
Abdulrazaq said, “This state belongs to all. We don’t see anybody as opposition. It is Kwara for all. All hands must be on deck (to rebuild the state). This is a poor state and a lot of work has to be done. We will embrace everybody.
“When you record a winning margin of 75 per cent as we did, it means that even those on the side of PDP voted for us. So we are going to ensure that we all work together. We are not going to label anybody. There are good people on the other side too,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “Our members will also be taken care of and our priority will be to rebuild our state. We need to get everyone together for the task ahead and move our state forward. We have a big task ahead of us but we will surmount the challenges ahead by the grace of God. Once again, we thank everyone who took part in the elections — either as officials or as voters.”
Abdulrazaq also commended the electoral body, the security agencies and the voters for their patriotic roles while the exercise lasted.
He rated the elections in Kwara as the most peaceful and orderly, commending the security agencies for checkmating thuggery and potential violence in the state.
In his words, Hon Saheed Popoola (Balogun/Ojomu) constituency of Offa, said the lawmakers will do everything to ensure that the party did not disappoint the people of the state.
Popoola who is the only retuning lawmaker and aready being touted to emerge as the next Speaker said the party and the elected lawmakers will prioritise good governance and ensure that the dividends of democracy get to the nooks and crannies of the state.
Head of security agencies including Commissioner of Police, Commandant of Immigration, Commandant of Customs Service, Commandant of the Nigeria Security of Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) among others attended the ceremony.
