Sequel to the Kwara State People’s Democratic Party consensus arrangement on the selection of Kwara South Senatorial candidate for the 2023 election and subsequent concession of a major contender, Hon. (Barr) Gbenga Makanjuola, his Kwara South political groups/structures have agreed to work with the consensus candidate of the party, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, in the interest of the party and success of all.
This was the position of Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola, when Heads of his political groups/structures met with the Kwara south consensus candidate, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, yesterday, Saturday April 16, in the latter’s bid to harmonize, reconcile and mobilize members towards ensuring total victory for the party in 2023.
The meeting which was at the instance of the senatorial candidate, was convened by a former Kwara south senatorial chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun. The meeting which was described as a PDP family meeting held in the spirit of harmony and brotherhood has major party stalwarts across the senatorial district in attendance.
It would be recalled that the moment the party, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki resolved the consensus arrangement and the eventual emergence of Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim as the PDP Kwara South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola immediately convened the meeting of leadership and Heads of his political groups, associations and structures across Kwara South Senatorial district, where he briefed them of the party hierarchy’s position on same. At the meeting, he appealed to them to accept God’s divine will on his political career and urged them to put themselves together and ensure victory for the PDP in Nigeria and Kwara in particular.
According to the joint statement issued by a former Council Chairman of Ekiti Local Government and a former LG party chairman of Offa Local government , Alhaji Goke Rabiu, who are the leaders of Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola political structures and groups in Kwara South, Hon. Chief Bode Ogunleye, stated that: “Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola has formally directed all his supporters, political groups and structures in all the seven local governments of Kwara South to immediately move into action by supporting Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim’s candidature and work with him and all other candidates nominated by our great party, the PDP.
“This is the directives from our Principal and we have all keyed into it without any reservations. Whatever he says, we respect for being an humble and gentleman. He has restated that the overall victory of the party, the PDP is paramount and a priority to him above any individual interest. He, Makanjuola, has enjoined all his followers and well wishers to see the emergence of Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim as an act of God since it is only God that gives power to whomever He wishes,” Ogunleye said.
Earlier, the Senatorial candidate, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, appealed to members in the spirit of Ramadan and Easter to forgive one another no matter what and move ahead. He noted that, victory can only be assured when we all work together and support one another.
Senator Rafiu urged everyone to join hands with him in winning the elections to reset Nigeria and reclaim Kwara from the non-performing All Progressives Congress-led government in 2023.
The meeting therefore, consolidated the previous private meeting held in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun LGA of Kwara State between the duo of Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim on the way forward after party’s decision on candidacy. The supporters of both politicians were excited and happy while describing all the meetings and engagements as a robust PDP family affairs.
Other speakers at the meeting preached peace and harmony, while they all prayed for a victorious outing for the PDP in 2023 elections.
