…as PDP inaugurates 50-man campaign c’ttee
Full list, portfolios
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday expressed confidence that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the gubernatorial and precedential elections come 2019.
According to him, the leaders of the PDP in the state have all what it takes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and at the federal level to win next year’s general elections.
Saraki who is the national leader of the PDP said the party will not only sweep the elections in Kwara state but will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC by the grace of God.
He asked his supporters not to be afraid of the use of federal might in the forthcoming general election, pointing out that he had confronted such situations in two previous elections and floored the incumbents.
Saraki spoke at the inauguration of a 50-man Campaign Council for the state PDP held at ABS Constituency Office, Ilorin, the state capital.
The Senate President said while the 2019 election, like any other election has its challenges, experience has shown that with the right tactics and strategies, the PDP will win the state again adding that the party has the right people with the requite pedigree to deliver the party.
He said: “Don’t be afraid, don’t create fears in your heart, I have heard all the talks of the opposition about using federal might. But we have seen it all. We saw it in 2003, we saw it in 2015 or don’t you know that they used federal might in 2015? In 2015 with federal might we defeated them. It was you people that God used then and in 2019 with those who have come to join us we will defeat them again.”
He, however, asked members of the Campaign Council to demonstrate utmost faithfulness in the discharge of their duties to achieve the desired results.
Saraki recalled that the Mandate office has been the platform for every electoral victory of the party since 2003 and expressed confidence that God is with his political structure to win the next poll again.
“Every election has its challenges. But, we have what it takes to tackle it and once you are committed victory is ours”,he said, and tasked the party on the need to implement a rigorous campaign to ensure everyone is reached.
Making reference to his political travails since the APC won the 2015 general election, Saraki used his attitude to the crisis to plead with aggrieved members of the PDP to sheath their sword and work for the party’s victory, promising that there would be better deal for Nigerians under a government run by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate.
According to Saraki it is only when the PDP is in power at the federal level that things can return to normal for the suffering Nigerians and the hopes of the people properly addressed.
Earlier, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed had expressed confidence that the PDP will win the state in 2019, “using that astute leadership of the Senate President as it has always been done since 2003.”
In his acceptance speech on behalf of members of the campaign council, chairman of the council, Professor Suleiman Abubakar described their appointment as a call to service at a critical period in the history of the state and promised to give all it takes to ensure success for the endeavour.
Abukakar, who was minister of National Planning said Saraki truly defeated his team with its federal might in the 2015 election and expressed confidence that now that they are working together in the same party things would turn out much better.
The former minister said the fact that he emerged the DG of the 2019 Mandate of the PDP should end any rumour of division between the old and new PDP adding that Saraki with the development has shown that Saraki is a very transparent, honest and accommodating leader who has the greater interest of the party at heart.
FULL LIST AND PORTFOLIOS
1. Prof Abubakar Suleiman – Director-General
2. Hon Ladi Edun – Deputy DG (Kwara Central)
3. Hon Isa Bawa – Deputy DG (Kwara North)
4. Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji Deputy DG (Kwara South)
Directors
5. Alhaji Isiaka Danmairomu (Director Campaign)
6. Alhaji Onimago (Contact and Mobilisation)
7. Hon Adisa Ajibade (Electoral Matters)
8. Hon Mashood Bakare (Finance and Admin)
9. Hon Taju Alabi (Security and Intelligence
10. Alhaji Olaiya Zubair (Welfare Services)
11. Saliu Muhammed (Party Liaison)
12. Engr Shuaib Akanho (Transport and Logistics)
13. Dr Ndanusa Manzuma (Research and Planning)
14. Bode Ojomu (Media and Publicity)
15. Ben Duntoye (Youths)
16. Hawa AbdulKadir (Woman Affairs)
17. Suleiman Muhammad (Support Groups)
18. Hajia Bilkis Sani (Professional Bodies)
19. Mr Shola Alayoyo (Venue)
20. Umar Farouk Akanbi (Peace and Reconciliation)
21. Engr. Musa Yeketi (Polling Units/Canvassing)
22. Alhaji Abubakar Alfa Shonga (Legal and Religious Affairs)
Deputy Directors
23. Fatai Solagberu (Youths)
24. Hajia Ramat Usman Akaje (Women Affairs)
25. Mahmud Thanni (Contact and Mobilsation)
26. Alhaji Saliu Owonikoko (Media and Publicity)
27. Barrister Baba Baako (Legal and Religious Affairs)
28. Musa Muhammed Jaaji (Finance and Admin)
Head of Departments
29. Hon Murtala Ayodeji (Campaign)
30. Wasiu Mustapha (Mobilisation)
31. Musili Adeniran (Women Affairs)
32. Saliu Muhammed (Electoral Matters)
33. Alhaji Owolabi Wopa (Security)
34. Hassan Taiye Erubu (Artisan)
35. Hon Kareem Afaso (Administration)
36. Akeem Akoko
37. Olalekan Lawal (Students)
38. Barrister Taiwo Smith (Non indigenes)
39. Hamza Ibrahim (Protocol)
40. Mulikat Ghazali (Market Women)
41. Yusuf Yaru (Contact)
42. Nurudeen Ibrahim (Labour)
43. Muhammed Ajibola Musiliu (Admin)
44. Engr Wole Oke (Finance)
45. AbdulKareem Alase Abdullahi (Programmes)
46. Alhaji Nuhu Abbas/Emmanuel Owolabi (Religious Matters)
47. Gbenga Makinde (Youth)
48. Kabir Alakuko/Awoleye Lola Theresa/Muhammed Thanni (Polling Unit and Canvasser)
49. Baba Idris Gana (New Media)
