By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Kwara South Elders forum of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has opposed the possible re-nomination of Alhaji Lai Mohammed for ministerial portfolio for Kwara State in the next cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Among the numerous antagonists to the reappointment of the minster, the latest call from Kwara South, the region where the minster hails from happened to be the strongest
The elder’s forum called for a change in the nomination of minister from Kwara South, accusing the present minister of performing far below average in the interest of the state.
The elders said whoever is to be appointed minister from the Senatorial zone should be well grounded in local politics, passionate about the people and most especially the development of Kwara State at large.
The forum also dissociated itself from the resolution of the press conference and subsequent release issued by the APC Consultative Forum of Irepodun Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Chief (Dr) Bamisaiye Ayeni and the Secretary, Engineer Jide Usman, issued after the elders emergency meeting Wednesday, at Chief Ayeni’s residence in Ilorin, the forum rejected the an earlier press conference penultimate week by the Irepodun LGA APC Consultative forum anchored by Dr Hezekiah Oyedepo where a vote of confidence was passed on the minister.
“We wish to note that Kwara South is made up of seven local government areas and it is obviously larger than Irepodun LGA which constitutes less than 10% of the Senatorial district. The LGAs are Ifelodun, Oyun, Offa, Isin, Oke-ero, Ekiti and Irepodun,” the statement read.
The forum also opposed the claim by the consultative forum that the Minister was responsible for the party’s victory in Kwara State during the 2019 elections.
According to the Elders forum, “the shift in the voting pattern demonstrated by the good people of Kwara was a fall out of the determination, commitment and desperate yearning for change by the people rather than the mis-representation of attribution to one individual as being marketed by Oyedepo and cronies”
They accused Lai Mohammed of not taking part in party activities in Kwara state for the three years until the stage was set for victory.
They also accused him of neglecting the zone and the state in spite of its influential portfolio.
“It is a well known fact that Alh. Lai Mohammed did not participate in party activities in Kwara State in the last three years until it became glaringly obvious that APC was poised for victory.”
The elders forum also accused Dr Oyedepo of canvassing for Lai Mohammed because of the personal benefits he enjoyed from him at the expense of the state.
“However, the elders were not completely surprised by the desperate antics and the subsequent airing of such undeserving press conference by the group anchored by Dr Oyedepo in spite of the obvious ineptitude and abject neglect of developmental programmes for the entire three Senatorial Districts of the state by the outgoing minister.
“It is on record that the late wife of Dr Oyedepo was appointed as the Director General of National Theatre, Lagos by his bosom friend and brother, Honourable Lai Mohammed.”
“As a people we are proud of several other illustrious sons who are tested and are seasoned politicians from Kwara South that could take the position effectively for the overall benefits of Kwarans. Kwara south will appreciate the nomination of any other person than lai Muhammed”
“And we elders from the constituency will hold ourselves responsible for our choices should there be any failure, unlike when an unpopular person is foisted on us”.
