State Congress: PDP ready to bounce back in big way – Saraki

By Jimoh Sulyman

The National political leader of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commended the party members for standing firm by the party and making the transition process a peaceful one.

Senator Saraki gave the commendation at the Atlantic Event Palace, as delegates from all the 16 Local Government Areas in Kwara State gathered for the Kwara PDP State Congress in Ilorin the Kwara state capital on Saturday, 16th of October.

The party in a show of unity, adopted Consensus process in electing the new executive members to man the affairs of the party for the next four years, especially with the 2023 general election in sight.

The venue was filled to the brim as members from the state structure were in ecstatic mood as they participate in the exercise; also in attendance are the delegates from the National headquarters of the party.

Other dignitaries also present at the occasion are: the former governor of the state, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim; former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; former Minister for Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi amongst host of other dignitaries present.

Ecstatic mood as they participate in the exercise; also in attendance are the delegates from the National headquarters of the party.

Other dignitaries also present at the occasion are: the former governor of the state, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim; former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; former Minister for Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi amongst host of other dignitaries present.

The former number three citizen of the federation also stressed on the readiness of the party to offer the people of Kwara State a new lease of life and hope come next general election in the 2023.

Saraki however, charged the new executives to be up and doing, as this is an opportunity and a time to serve the party and not a time to rest on their oars, so as to marshal the ship of the party to victory at the polls.

Speaking further, Saraki assured that the party is ready and committed to the inclusion of women and youths in government and noted that the party is poised to make women and youths integral part of the party structure, saying, women would occupy up to 30 per cent of the political posts.

The Outgoing Chairman of the state party, Engr. Kola Shittu gave the opening remarks, where he confirmed that the party has drawn a consensus list, which he said is to the satisfaction of the party members.

He further noted that, the aim of the party is to hearken the yearnings of the people of Kwara, to deliver them from the clutches of bad governance the state is currently undergoing, calling for the support of members across board.

While speaking exclusively with the National Pilot, Shittu lauded the process, describing it as a show of unity, he also advise the new executives to work hard to continue uniting the party in order to achieve its mandate come 2023.

Adding that, “Kwara state has been bastardized by the incumbent governor, with this show of unity within the party; this should give the people of Kwara the hope at the next general polls”.

The new chairman, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed from Ifelodun local government area, in his remark, promised to work assiduously to reclaim the state and that the party is going to start the campaign from all level of governments.

Just like his predecessor, Mohammed also lamented the governing style of the present governor, stating that the populace are tired of the government, he said “Everybody is tired of the government, the government has bastardised everything in the state and they have failed to fulfill their promises to the people”.

He also call for the support of the people, urging the people not to allow the mistake of last general election to repeat itself, he also vowed that the party will emerge victorious at all level of government during the coming election.

Mohammed lauded the process describing it as an unprecedented process in the politics of the state.

In his own words, he said, “In my 30 years of being in politics, this is the first time I’m witnessing such a seamless Congress, and if you see what is happening in other political parties that are being plagued by crises, but thanks to God that we have a leader, who is the rallying point for everyone of us.

“PDP in Kwara State is a good family, we have a no factional problem unlike the ruling party and that is why we’re able to  elect our leadership without any rancour, so the people should be rest assured that the party is coming to rescue the state come 2023” he submitted.

When he was quizzed on how he was able to emerge the state chairman of the party, Mohammed disclosed that, “Truly we’re five in numbers vying for the post, but due to the meticulous leadership we have in the party, we were able to arrive at this consensus without any problem.

“I emerged unopposed just like other executive members, and everyone in the party, from the ward level to the state structure, supported the decision,” he said.

Some of the executive Council are, Rt Hon. Babatunde Mohammed as the state chairman; Alhaji Gunu Umar Mohammed as the deputy chairman; Alhaji AbdulRazaq Lawal as the Secretary of state PDP; Hon. Tunde Ashaolu is the Publicity Secretary while Yusuf AbdulSalam emerged as the Auditor; Comrade Bisi Fakayode as the Kwara South Senatorial Districts Zonal chairman; Alhaji Shuaib Jimoh Baba Gbadun-Gbadun as the Kwara North Chairman; Alhaji Isiaka Owolabi as the Kwara Central Senatorial Districts Chairman; Prince Haliru Dantsoho emerge as the Youth Leader of the State; Alhaja Risikat Abdullahi as the State Woman Leader; Kwara Central Woman Leader is Alhaja Afusat Usman; Margaret Abegunde as the Kwara South Woman Leader; Hajia Aisha Kawu as the Kwara North Woman Leader; Assistant Auditor is Mrs Iyabo Adewuyi.

In a fulfillment of the party’s leadership pledge to ensure inclusion of women in governance, the party in an unprecedented fashion, chose Alhaja Bilikisu Oniyangi as the state organising secretary.