Kwara Speaker: Rescind your inordinate ambition – Kwara North groups tell Saheed Popoola

… express displeasure over Lai Moh’d, APC Chair, party leaders’ silence

By Adebayo Olodan

Following the raging debate over who becomes the Speaker of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly (KWHA), the Coalition of Kwara North Groups (CKNG) has urged Hon Saheed Popoola, to withdraw his Speakership ambition.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 9, 2019 election cleared all 24 seats in the Kwara State House of Assembly with Popoola, the only returning member of the House.
CKNG, the umbrella body of various groups in Kwara North Senatorial District, in a statement on Tuesday jointly signed by its Chairman, Com. Musa Idris Buko and Media and Publicity Secretary, Com. Aliyu Bala Isa expressed its initial reluctance to respond to reports from those working against the interest of Kwara North in the speakership race by advocacy or promotion of one a lawmaker-elect from Kwara South.
The group however said it opted against its earlier stance in order to set the records straight.
CKNG implored Popoola, the lawmaker representing Balogun/Ojomu constituency at the KWHA to toe the path of honour by rescinding his inordinate ambition to be the Speaker at the expense of justice, equity and fairness.
It added that, “Facts abound to show, not only in the state but also National Assembly, that legislative leadership is not anchored on experience alone. First time legislators can be, and had been Senate Presidents, and Speakers of the Federal and state Assemblies.
“We definitely do not want to join issues with the people of Kwara South, because there are many who support and stand for justice, equity, and fairness. However, does it not prick the conscience of Hon. Saheed Popoola, that the Deputy Governor, the Minister of Information and the party Chairman, despite being of Kwara South origin, still wants to be the Speaker of  Kwara State House of Assembly? Kwara is and will continue to be for all.”
The group said the position of the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly should be the exclusive right of lawmakers-elect from Kwara North adding that all the eight elected officers from the District are on the same page and would produce a consensus candidate among themselves for the position.
CKNG further expressed its displeasure over the sudden silence of leaders of the party such as the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC Chairman in the state, Hon Bashiru Omolaja Bolarinwa and other senior party members on the issue.
“CKNG therefore wonders why the APC state party leadership, especially; the Party Chairman, and other senior party members such as the Hon. Minister of Information, are in grave silence on this critical issue that can exuviate people’s confidence in the party. “Continuous posture of indifference by APC party leadership, senior party members, and Kwara North APC elders might be rationally taken as approval, unless of course, they clear the air on this hubbub.”
The group however said it is humbled and overwhelmed by the incredible solidarity and concern “showered us especially various groups and organizations from Kwara Central and other pro-democratic organizations who used all their medium to condemn the attempt to shortchange our people, with untenable rhetoric that insults sensibility and threatens justice, equity and fairness.”
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of Saheed Popoola, proved abortive last night as his mobile phone was switched off. Response to the text message sent to him was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
It would be recalled that some individuals, APC Youth groups and religious leaders have declared their support for the emergence of Popoola as the 9th Kwara Assembly Speaker.
Religious leaders across Offa Local Government under the aegis of Offa Muslims and Christian Cleric Council (OMCCC) during a press conference last week said experience should be considered in deciding the next Speaker in the state.
The spokesperson and Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Offa, Rev Segun Ogungboye said experience among other qualities should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning.