Kwaran PDP Ward Congress: Massive turnout as party opts for consensus

By Ahmed Ajikobi and Mike Adeyemi
Ahead of the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party slated for October, party members in Kwara state have elected their ward executives across the 193 wards of the State with most wards adopting consensus affirmation.
The party members who participated in the peaceful exercise across some of the wards monitored by National Pilot on Saturday expressed optimism of winning the 2023 general elections.

The exercise which started late in the state witnessed large turnout by the members. At Baboko ward, party members were seen in their numbers participating in the process of electing their ward executives.
Some of the newly elected ward executives said the affirmation arrangement is a sign of victory for the party in the coming 2023 general elections.
Speaking with our reporter shortly after the Congress, the state PDP chairmanship aspirants, Alhaji Okanlawon Olarewaju described the process as peaceful and devoid of rancour.
“The new executives were unopposed as what we had at Baboko ward is consensus. It shows our party is ready to take over government come 2023.
“Our people have tasted the other side of life voting APC into power in Kwara in the last elections. I think they are lamenting now and they cannot wait to see PDP back into power come 2023 in Kwara,” Okanlawon said.
Similarly, the PDP chairman, Baboko ward, Alhaji Moshood Kayode Yusuf lauded the party’s elders and stakeholders for a peaceful ward Congress.
“We had an affirmative arrangement as 17 ward executives emerged today. All aggrieved members inclusion, appealed to. There was no rancour at all.
“We followed the order given by our leader, who is the immediate past senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki by having 35 per cent of women inclusion,” Yusuf affirmed.

At Badari ward, the newly elected ward chairman, Alh. Ladi Sambo said the exercise went without any itches.
“I’m happy that the ward chose me to pilot the affairs of our great party for the next four years in Badari.
“We voted and we were able to produce 17 executive members alongside 4 ex officio making it 21. We have about 8 women in the new executive as prescribed by our leader, Dr. Bukola Saraki. Kwarans are set to return PDP to power come 2023,” he said.
In the same vein, at Oko-Erin ward, the congress which was held at Sheikh Alimi Secondary school, Ilorin was attended by party faithfuls across the 15 zones of the ward.
Speaking with our reporter, Hon. Lateefat Bangbola said the party had agreed to zone the ward executives to various zones across Oko-Erin ward.
“There is no problem for PDP here in Oko-Erin. We had zoned the posts to the 15 zones that makes Oko-Erin ward. We are not voting, rather we opted for consensus affirmation arrangement,” she said.
At Akanbi ward 1 in Ilorin South local government, the embattled member of Kwara state house of assembly, Hon. Raheem Agboola said the Congress went well in his ward.
“We had an affirmation Congress at Akanbi Ward 1 here in Ilorin south without any rancour. Many people are rushing to get themselves registered for PDP in Kwara.
“This is an attestation to the fact that Kwarans have regretted their decision in voting in APC in the last elections. It seems Kwarans have realised their ill choice and they cannot wait to see PDP back to power come 2023,” Agboola said.
Also at Ajikobi, Adewole, Alanamu, Wards, the congresses went peacefully as all the party members agreed with the nominees.
In a chat with the Ajikobi Ward Chairman, Abubakar Yusuf, he thanked the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other party elders for their supports for the development of the party.
“It is a sign of 2023 victory of our noble party.”
Also speaking, the Woman Leader, Ajikobi Ward, Fatimah Alakoso said that the congress was a signal for the return of PDP in 2023.
“I promise I will not disappoint the party and I will carry all the women along.”
Adewole Ward Chairman, Lawal Dauda Olusola urged all the party member to join hands together to move the party higher.

According to Adewole Woman Leader, Saadu Memunat, “we are ready to take over our positions, all the women in the party are ready. God will not shame us.”
Similarly, the party members in Ubandawaki Ward of Ilorin West local government area unanimously adopted a concensus arrangement produced Alhaji Usman Giwa as Chairman and along side other members.
Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Alhaji Usman Giwa appreciated Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and all party faithful who contributed to the success of the peaceful conduct.
He assured the party leadership of the readiness of Ubandawaki Ward to deliver the Ward for the largest political party in Africa, PDP. “No doubt, our Ward is ready to take back power from the clueless All Progressive Congress in the State and at the Federal level”, he said.