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Tag: Ahmed

  • Kwara 2019: Who succeeds Ahmed?

    Kwara 2019: Who succeeds Ahmed?

    Two years to the next general elections, consultations are on in Kwara State. Politicians are scheming for the seat that will be vacated by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on May 29, next year. ADEKUNLE JIMOH examines the succession struggle and aspirants on the platforms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Though next general elections are two years away, Kwara State is already abuzz with politics. Major political gladiators interested in the seat that would be vacated by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have started oiling their political machinery.

    Kwara politics is still dominated by the Olusola Saraki dynasty. This perhaps, explains the large number of aspirants that have in one way or the other signaled their interest in the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). So far, about 15 persons on the platform of the party are said to be interested in the seat.

    A good number of them are associates of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; most of them are holding political offices both at the state and national levels. Some of the aspirants considered to be serious contenders have floated what an impeccable source called “subtle pressure groups”.

    They include the spokesperson of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad; former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now APC stalwart, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Special Duties, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha; Senator Representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Alhaji Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi; and member representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Razak Atunwa.

    Others are a member representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Abubakar Amuda-Kannike; his counterpart for Edu/Moro/Patigi Constituency, Alhaji Bahago Ahman Patigi; Zakari Mohammed representing Baruten/Kaiama Constituency; the Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulwahab and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape.

    The aspirants have begun clandestine recruitment of youths, who are already helping to market their candidacy in the social media.

    A source told The Nation that some of the aspirants are keeping their ambition to their chest, owing to the peculiarity of Kwara politics. It was learnt that some of the aspirants who are bent on taking part in the contest are afraid of a possible backlash in the event that they unveil their plans ahead of time.

    Some social media platforms are already touting Abdullahi, Ahmad and Mustapha as likely successors of the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, when the latter’s second term of four years ends May 29, 2019.

    Mustapha is not making his ambition secret as he has already started strategic moves to curry the favour of the power that be in securing the governorship ticket of the APC.

    He was a member of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 and served as Commissioner during the tenure of Saraki as governor.

    For Abdullahi, some youth organisations were said to have started convening stakeholders’ fora both in Ilorin and Abuja as a platform to commence subtle campaigns for him. He served as Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission in the cabinet of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    However, a source hinted that Ahmad is also interested in the race, but he has chosen to keep the ambition close to his chest. He was a member of the Seventh National Assembly, where he served as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice.

    His four years in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly gave birth to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, a bill he solely sponsored, with main objective of speedy trial of criminal cases.

    The Speaker’s media aide, Shuaib Abdulkadir, dismissed media reports that his principal was nursing governorship ambition in 2019. He said it is only the party hierarchy that will determine who takes what in the forthcoming general elections, adding that no decision had been taken on that yet.

    He said: “As far as everybody is concerned in Kwara State, and as you rightly know, he (Ali Ahmad) is the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, representing Ilorin South Constituency in the House of Assembly.

    “Yes, you might have been told some things about his ambition. I am not aware of that for now. But I can tell you reliably that he is not eyeing the governorship seat, except probably what the hierarchy would decide, which everybody is not aware of for now. That is all I can tell you.”

    Abdulkadir neither picked up telephone calls nor responded to the message sent to him inquiring about his 2019 governorship ambition.

    A member representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, Dr Abubakar Amuda-Kannike, could not be reached for his comment on the matter.

    But, Baraje advised those nursing governorship ambitions within the APC to tary a while. He urged such persons to exercise patience and allow the incumbent governor to concentrate on the good job he is doing.

    Baraje said it is too early for anyone to start campaigning for the next governorship or any elective office.

    He pointed out that a rare political system where the party’s hierarchy decides who takes what exists in Kwara State. Baraje advised those reported to be nursing governorship ambitions to allow the system work.

    He added: “In Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, is still our leader. I respect him and still queue behind him and when the time comes, all of us shall sit down together and the system will bring out the best candidates for governorship and other elective offices that will be beneficial to the people of our  state.

    “For now, I think we should allow the sitting governor to continue the good work he is doing. The governor is doing his best to serve the people of the state in accordance with the principles and policies of our great party, the APC. It is public knowledge that the governor has been going round the state, flagging off various projects, as well as empowering the vulnerable members of the society.

    “To those nursing governorship ambitions, I advise them to be patient and cooperate with the political leader of the state.”

    Baraje said if the so-called governorship aspirants “have been part of the APC family in the state, then they are not doing justice to the system and if they have not been part of us, then they should know that we have a system.

    The former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Dr Mike Omotoso, it was gathered, may still give the governorship seat a shot. But, this time around, he may be contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Omotosho recently gave conditions to make himself available for the 2019 governorship race. Though he did not disclose the platform on which he intends to contest, he said the readiness of the electorate would spur him to join the race. Indications are that the pharmacist-turned-politician is tinkering with the idea of defecting to the crisis-ridden PDP to realise his ambition.

    Popularly known as Omotosure, he said the masses remain the determinant factor of the electoral processes.

    The former LP flag bearer who lost to Governor Ahmed in the 2015 polls said his decision to vie for governorship was to improve the welfare of the electorates.

    He said: “I would love to run, but the people must be ready. It is not about me wanting to be governor; I am not a career politician. It is about better life for the masses. At the right time, details will be unveiled by the people, if they actually want me to run.”

    The PDP is currently destabilised by factional crisis. The party is divided into two factions, with Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi who are laying claims to the soul of the party.

    Although the recent Appeal Court verdict recognised Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman, the National Caretaker Committee chaired by Makarfi has gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the appellate court judgment.

  • Ahmed seeks unity

    Ahmed seeks unity

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on the state residents to be united and renew their commitment for moral rejuvenation, as Christians celebrate Easter.

    Congratulating Christians for a successful completion of Lent, the governor called on them to imbibe the lessons of the holy period and reflect on their daily life.

    “I urge Christians to remain committed to the service of God and humanity. You should be determined to show affection, care and sympathy to all and sundry as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. As you came out pure and simple from this spiritual rejuvenation, you are expected to live an exemplary life of Jesus Christ,” the governor said.

    Ahmed called on Kwarans to pray for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government in its determination to right the wrong and restore dignity and honour to the country.

    The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to serve the people and fulfill his electoral promises.

  • Ahmed seeks more investments in education

    Ahmed seeks more investments in education

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on stakeholders in the education sector to invest more on education infrastructure. Ahmed, who admitted that such intervention required an all-stakeholders’ input, called for stronger support from community associations, old students and others in revamping the country’s education sector.
    The governor spoke at the Government House in Ilorin, when he received the Old Boys of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, led by its President, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.
    A statement by Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahaab Oba, said the government would intervene in some secondary schools to make learning environments more conducive.
    The schools include Government Secondary School and Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin; Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran and Offa Grammar School, Offa.
    According to Ahmed, the government earmarked money under the Infrastructure Development Fund to meet the needs of secondary schools, and assured the stakeholders that with an improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), critical development projects will be executed.
    Mr. Olusegun listed projects embarked upon by the association to turn things around in the school. He said the body had spent over N200 million on development projects.

  • Ahmed seeks enforcement of anti-corruption law

    Ahmed seeks enforcement of anti-corruption law

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said corruption, indiscipline and other vices would be less attractive if key institutions enforcing compliance of the provisions of the law are empowered.
    Ahmed spoke in Ilorin at the launch of ‘Change begins from me’ and ‘Kick Indiscipline and Corruption out of Kwara (KICK) campaigns.
    “I must stress that for these campaigns to achieve their objectives, we must reform and empower key institutions concerned with enforcing compliance with the provisions of the law.
    “This is because people are less likely to indulge in corruption, indiscipline and other infractions against the law if they are confident that the law is endowed to punish offenders,” Ahmed said.
    The governor, however, noted that change required time, tenacity, sincerity, and personal sacrifice.
    Represented by Secretary to the state government (SSG), Isiaka Gold, the governor said: “This will be consistent with the Federal Government’s national campaign to arrest and stamp out corruption in our country, based on recognition of its deleterious effect on our economy and national life.
    “However, we must not focus on corruption to the exclusion of our degraded national values.
    While corruption is often defined as wrong doing on the part of those in authority or in government, it is often more widespread in the larger population.
    “I am not suggesting corruption is not a major impediment to growth and development; it is and must be eradicated. Rather, I am suggesting that we equally focus on the government worker who aids “ghost working” or goes to work only when it pleases him.
    “I am suggesting we focus on Nigerians who refuse to do their jobs without gratification or what is known in local parlance as “Egunje”.
    “I am saying we should also focus on those who close their eyes to wrong doing because it does not affect them or their families. I maintain that we concentrate on those who prosper in our state and share in its resources but refuse to pay taxes.
    “We must address all those negative values which stand in the way of the change and prosperity that our country and its people deserve.”
    Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Olusegun Adeyemi said the fight against corruption cannot begin with government alone.
    “You and I must be at the forefront in the fight against corruption. Because before we can experience positive changes, each person must change from the wrong ways of doing things and carry out his duties in the right way,” Adeyemi said.

  • Ahmed directs commission to normalise teachers’ employment

    Ahmed directs commission to normalise teachers’ employment

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has ordered the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to normalise the employment of 63 teachers based on approval by the commission.
    He directed TESCOM to regularise employment of personnel recruited into the commission in 2014 without approval.
    The governor in 2014 gave TESCOM approval to employ 449 teaching and non-teaching staff, including teachers in Mathematics, English language and science subjects, to meet shortfall of teachers in the subjects.
    A panel of enquiry by the government discovered the commission illegally recruited more teachers than the figure approved by the governor.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Governor, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said the governor frowned at the unauthorised employment.
    He said following Governor Ahmed’s directive, TESCOM would conduct processes for the normalisation of employment of the affected personnel, who include teaching and non-teaching staff.
    The statement said priority would be given to those with
    qualifications in Mathematics, English language and science subjects.

  • Crime has no religious colouration, says Ahmed

    Crime has no religious colouration, says Ahmed

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on Nigerians to desist from attaching religious and ethnic colouration to crime in Nigeria. He noted that such sentiment portends danger to the unity of the country.
    Ahmed spoke when he received National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, at the Government House in, Ilorin.
    According to the governor, no religion preaches violence as a way of political or economic agitation, but constructive and peaceful engagements towards resolving perceived or real marginalisation.
    Ahmed advised Nigerians to stop politicising national issues and dividing the country along religion line. He urged politicians seeking appointments to do so through political structure rather than employ religious and ethnic sentiments which create tension in the polity.
    Governor Ahmed promised that his administration will be guided by principles of transparency, equity, fairness and justice.
    Rev. Ayokunle praised Ahmed for his commitment to building sustainable peace. He noted that peaceful co-existence is critical to the development of any country.
    The cleric advised governments to imbibe the principle of equity, justice and fairness in order to give everyone a sense of belonging.

  • Ahmed seeks Saudi’s support for education

    Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has urged the Saudi Arabian government to support the state in the development of education, agriculture and manufacturing.

    He made the plea at the foundation laying ceremony of the Darul-Kitab University, Agbeyangi in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor also urged the Saudi authorities not to withdraw support for the proposed university in its bid to provide functional education.

    He was optimistic that when the university takes off, it will boost human capital development and make Kwara a hub of tertiary education.

    He promised that the government would continue to support efforts aimed at improving access to quality education as basic ingredient for development at all levels.

    Earlier, Senior Adviser to King Salman AbdulAziz of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq hailed the proprietor of the yet-to-take-off university for his initiative.

    He assured that his country would continue to support the university in expanding the frontiers of knowledge.

  • Ahmed hails youth scheme

    Ahmed hails youth scheme

    Kwara State Governor  Abdulfatah Ahmed has praised the leadership of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) for organising an entrepreneurship training programme for youths across the emirate.

    The governor during a meeting with the IEDPU National President, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi, in his office.

    He lauded the union’s effort in empowering 275 youths with entrepreneurship skills in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

    Ahmed also directed that the participants be grouped into cooperative societies and given access to micro-credit funding under the state’s Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) Intervention Scheme.

    Speaking earlier, the union’s president, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi, explained that the training was targeted at empowering youths with various vocational skills that will enable them generate wealth and become employers of labour.

  • Be upright, Ahmed urges judicial officers

    Be upright, Ahmed urges judicial officers

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged judicial officers to maintain discipline and uphold high level of integrity in the discharge of their duties.
    The governor spoke in Ilorin yesterday at the swearing-in of Acting Grand Khadi of the Shariah Court of Appeal, Kadi Mohammed Ola Abdulkadir.
    According to him, the current development in the country’s judicial system calls for great concern.
    His words: “The judiciary must be protected and enabled to perform its constitutional roles in the interest of our nascent democracy and public order.
    “Officers of the law and indeed all citizens, whether within or outside government, must join hands to protect, uplift and sustain our judiciary.”
    Ahmed called on the new Grand Khadi to be an agent of positive change and dedicate himself to uplifting the image of the judiciary.
    “All judicial officers and politicians must uphold the sanctity, integrity and sobriety associated with the judicial arm of government,” he added.
    He promised that his administration would uphold the welfare of judicial officers and make the environment conducive for the quick dispensation of justice.
    Abdulkadir thanked Ahmed for the opportunity to serve and promised to work with his colleagues to ensure a stable judiciary.

  • Ahmed advocates stiffer penalty for kidnappers

    Ahmed advocates stiffer penalty for kidnappers

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday called for stiffer sanctions for kidnappers as a deterrent to others.
    He also spoke about the importance of reform in the judicial system to ensure confidence in the system and to facilitate expeditious dispensation of justice.
    The governor spoke during the 2016 Kwara State Justice Sector Reform Awareness and Training programme at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Ilorin.
    He said: “Nigeria requires reforms in almost all sectors in order to achieve the transformation that we all seek for current and future generations of Nigerians.
    “Notwithstanding its significant contributions to the country’s development and sustenance of democratic governance, the justice sector is in no less need of reform which increases confidence in the system by ensuring that the judiciary sustains its reputation as the citizen’s last refuge.”
    The governor added that “given the fact that a peaceful and lawful society is germane to development, an effective judicial system is also critical given its capacity to ensure the orderliness and peace necessary for economic growth and advancement.”
    He urged security agencies to redouble efforts to prevent and detect kidnapping and abduction in the state.
    The governor commended the Technical Committee of Justice Sector Reform Team for planning the “Revised layman’s Law of Kwara State” saying it is a simplified compilation of the Law of the State in simple, easy to understand language.
    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Kamaldeen Ajibade, said the Justice Sector Reform Team is an initiative to quicken dispensation of justice and bring justice to the door steps of residents in the state.