Abubakar Umar 

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Sunday said Kwara remains the stronghold of APC since 2019 general elections and that the party’s unmatched popularity and consistent victory make the state a no-go area for the opposition PDP. 

The Governor said the inauguration of the PDP’s National leader and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council will widen the margin of APC’s victory in Kwara.

The Governor spoke in Ilorin while receiving the delegation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) led by Director General Senator Abdulazeez Abubakar Yayi. 

The team also paid homage to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.

At least 10 former governors, former members of the National Assembly, and former party executives were part of the delegation, including Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Senator Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Kebbi Adamu Aleiro (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Hon. Dimeji Bankole, and Hon. Olubunmi Ette.

AbdulRazaq commended the PCC’s composition and their preparedness for the task ahead, attesting to their capacity and contributions to nation building.

The Governor also appreciated them for their engagement that equally featured the Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly and APC Gubernatorial candidate Rt Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, his running mate Hon Seun Oguniyi Adato, other top government officials and state APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi.

“We know that you’ve been going around the country, hitting the ground running. Even before inauguration, you were out doing your work. That shows the seriousness which you’ve attached to the job,” the Governor said at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin. 

“I congratulate you for being nominated into PCC, the highest organ of our campaign. It’s because the party recognises your capacities, your contribution to nation building and what you can achieve. 

“Now, we appreciate this courtesy visit. It’s important to know, to hit the ground running, you’re going to campaign, and to know that Kwara is solidly in the APC’s side of defence. The leader of PDP made our job much easier. The balance of the equation here is 70-30. 70% APC and 30% PDP. And that’s consistent from 2019 until the election. Nothing has changed except that PDP has continued to weaken.

“With the national leader of PDP being a member of our (APC) campaign council and declaring that his party, the PDP, will vote for President Bula Ahmed Tinubu, it means that the PDP 30% versus our 70% is now adding up to 100%. So, this will be one of the easiest states for our party, because the two main parties in the state are voting for President Tinubu.”

The Governor highlighted efforts of his administration to fix infrastructural decay in critical sectors especially in education, health, and civil service.

He spoke about the success story of the technology-driven teachings in the public basic schools through the introduction of KwaraLEARN, saying the scheme reduces absenteeism and increases learning outcomes. 

“You’re a regular visitor to this state, and you must have seen the changes in the state. Now, when we came in 2019, it was a challenging situation. Salaries were not paid, gratuities were not paid, pensions were not paid. That is a thing of the past. The civil servants are happy with us (now). The people are happy with us. They can see measurable  progress. Everyone is happy with us,” he said.  

The Governor said Kwara’s future is brighter with the emergence of Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi as party’s flag-bearer for Gubernatorial seat, explaining that he is part of the system and he is a grassroots politician.

“So, the trajectory is right, and the continuity is what we expect to have here. We’re lucky to have the Speaker of the State Assembly emerge as our candidate. We’ve worked together in running the state in harmony and peace. We send the budgets to them, they approve it, so he knows what’s in the budget; he monitors what we do. He’s conversant with our programmes, and in the same vein, constitutionally, he has an eye on the local governments as well. So, he’s a grassrooter,” he added. 

“And also, luckily for us, the Deputy Governorship candidate is also a member of the State House of Assembly, so they’re both grounded in the politics of the state.”

Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Yari, said the visit was to appreciate the Governor for his wonderful roles and to seek his continued support to make the APC succeed nationwide.

He thanked the Governor for giving his team “a great reception” right from the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin, saying that was their first time to earn such an executive honour since they started the tour.

“Your Excellency, we are here to pay homage. We know, particularly I personally know what you are doing to ensure that APC succeeds not only in Kwara but also in Nigeria. We know the role you are playing in terms of advice to Mr President and to the Council. Your concern is how this journey will be successful. I really appreciate all this, and we are going to continue working together,” Yari said.

At the Emir’s Palace, Yari reiterated the purpose of their visit to the state, saying the homage was to seek his blessing and prayers for the victory of APC candidates, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Your son, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has done a lot for this country, and your son, the Governor of Kwara State, has done a lot for this state, from where he took the responsibility from 2019 to where we are today,” he told the Emir at the Palace where the Governor was also present.

“Your Royal Highness, we not only came here to seek your support but also your prayers and blessings for Asiwaju’s re-election in 2027.”

Emir of Ilorin, Dr Sulu-Gambari, for his part, appreciated the team for the visit and prayed for the success of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

“The leader of the team, Senator Abdulazeez Yari, is a great man and all of you are great men in Nigerian politics. You are all going to be victorious and I wish you success in your future endeavours In Sha Allaah,” the Emir prayed.