Tag: Kwara North

  • ‘Zone governorship seat to Kwara North in 2027’

    ‘Zone governorship seat to Kwara North in 2027’

    Kwara North monarchs have urged political parties in the state to zone their governorship tickes to the senatorial district during the 2027 elections.

    They insisted that it is the turn of the district to produce the next governor.

    The monarchs under the aegis of Kwara North Council of Chiefs and Obas, said this at a meeting to deliberate on the prevailing security situation in Kwara North region.

    The meeting took place at the palace of Etsu Patigi, who is the Vice Chair of the council, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II.

    The engagement’s theme was: “Kwara North Unity, Security and Way Forward – Project 2027.”

    The communique at the end of the engagement signed by Etsu Bologi, Emir of Lafiagi, Muhammed Umar Kudu Kawu, Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar (Kiyaru iV), Etsu Tsaragi: HRH Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi  Kpotwa, Emir of Okuta Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Serobeteye, Emir of Ilesha Baruba Alhaji (Prof) Halidu Abubakar and Oba of Jebba Oba Abdulkadir Adebara.

    They said: “that in the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice, it is the rightful turn of Kwara North to produce the next governor of Kwara State in 2027.”

    They identified unity as the strongest tool for achieving this aspiration, urging stakeholders to set aside past differences and work together in the collective interest of the region.

    The communique also “resolved that alliances must be built with Kwara Central and Kwara South, and that advocacy be extended beyond the state—particularly to Abuja, national party leadership, and other critical political actors.

    “The priority at this stage is ensuring that political parties zone their governorship ticket to Kwara North, and stakeholders committed to supporting the processes and ultimately the Kwara North candidate who emerges.

    “Deliberations and consultations are ongoing to ensure that Moro Local Government produces at least one National Assembly member in the 2027 elections.

    “Community leaders and residents were reminded to prioritise voter registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to strengthen the region’s electoral advantage.”

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    On insecurity, the communique “expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for their ongoing efforts and support in addressing national and sub-national security challenges, particularly those affecting Kwara North.”

    The communique added: “The meeting called for sustained and concerted efforts from the Federal, State and Local Governments to ensure that terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements are flushed out of our forests.

    “The meeting noted with deep concern the rising security challenges across Kwara North, including attacks leading to loss of lives, closure of markets and schools, and disruption of economic activities.

    “It was resolved that security is a collective responsibility, and communities must provide only accurate and truthful information to security agencies.

    “The act of harbouring criminals was strongly condemned. Communities were urged to expose informants and collaborators aiding bandit activities.

    “The meeting recommended the establishment of a unified and well-coordinated security architecture for all five Local Government Areas of Kwara North, to be supervised by the respective LG Chairmen.

    “Vigilantes and forest guards should be adequately empowered, trained, and equipped with the necessary logistics, considering their superior understanding of the local terrain.”

  • Time for consensus as Kwara North eyes governorship seat

    Time for consensus as Kwara North eyes governorship seat

    • By Abdullahi Habeebullah

    After decades of waiting and devoted loyalty to the state, the people of Kwara North Senatorial District now have a golden opportunity to produce the next governor of Kwara State.

    The current governor, Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak, will be serving out his second term in 2027, thus paving the way for a successor from Kwara North.

    From Bukola Saraki, who governed the state for eight years, between 1999-2007, (Kwara Central); Abdul Fatah Ahmed, from 2007-2015 (Kwara South); to Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak 2015-2027, (Kwara Central); it is only fair that the next governor should come from Kwara North, in 2027, for balance and equity.

    It is in this context that the Kwara North Senatorial District should be putting forward one of its best and foremost politicians to succeed Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in 2027.

    Prominent among such names that are being considered for the job is Mallam Tajudeen Abdulkadir Audu (Makaman Lafiagi, Kwara State), chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Venturing into the murky waters of politics in Nigeria requires a lot of guts. Interestingly, for Tajudeen Audu, a man of many sides, the coast is clear and can only be such considering his standing as the most prominent politician in Kwara North, comprising Moro, Pategi, Edu, Baruten and Kaiama local governments.

    As holder of the Makama title, Audu is essentially a high-ranking official who provides counsel and support to the Emir. His traditional title has endeared him in the hearts of the people of Kwara North.

    Hence, many youth groups and associations in Lafiagi revolve around him as a major financier of their development activities in his home community and the environs.

    He had once served as president of the Lafiagi Descendants Development Union(LADDU), during which many community projects were executed.

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    These and several other philanthropic activities have endeared him to his people, who now project him as their preferred choice to vie for the office of the governor to succeed the current Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

    Makama’s progressive works also extend beyond Lafiagi to Ilorin Central Senatorial District, where he is regarded as a governor in waiting.

    He has a very large network, including Edu Youth Development Ambassadors, Kwara Central for Kwara North Youth Assembly, Kwara Adequate Ambassadors, Bata Youth Development Association, and Kwara North Integrity Group.

    The aforementioned groups are just a few of the home boy’s support base that connects him with the entire state, thus making him the most visible contender for the office of the governor from Kwara North.

    One of Audu’s unique selling points is the fact that he maintains very close and cordial relationships with these groups as a progressive and grassroots politician.

    His background training as an administrator and manager of public finances gives him a major advantage for the state to leverage to boost revenues and investments for rapid economic growth and development.

    His foray into politics comes at a critical time when the people of Kwara North Senatorial District need a credible and competent person to present for the office of the number one public servant of Kwara State from the zone.

    His people have decided to draft him as their most preferred choice for the office of the governor for reasons that include being a core professional who is adequately equipped for the job, considering his accomplishments as a chartered accountant, as well as his numerous philanthropic services in his community that stand him out among other aspirants jostling for the coveted seat from Kwara north.

    Given this current high level of acceptance by his people as their preferred choice for the office of the governor of the state in 2027, and his general popularity in the Ilorin Central Senatorial Zone, and the south district, as well, he is now seen as the new Kwara State poster boy and next governor in the making.

    Makama, as he is popularly known in political circles in Ilorin, has become a household word across all parts of Kwara State.

    In this vein, there are very strong indications that he will emerge as the consensus candidate from Kwara North Senatorial District, as moves are already being made by the stakeholders in the zone to ensure that other aspirants unite behind him to avoid a divided house before the primary elections next year.

    Close aides of Governor Abdulrazaq have also hinted at the governor’s support and endorsement for Makama, who enjoys very good relationships with him.

    Tajudeen, a scion of Lafiagi, where the next governor is expected to come from, parades very impressive credentials that make him stand tall above others.

  • ‘Stakeholders’ agitation for power shift to Kwara North healthy for us’

    ‘Stakeholders’ agitation for power shift to Kwara North healthy for us’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State says agitation from stakeholders for the concession of governorship seat to Kwara North in 2027 is healthy for the party.

    APC, the ruling party in the state, said it was not opposed to the clamour for power shift to Kwara North in 2027.

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    In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the state Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said: “The agitation means we have something that is worthy of people wanting to have.”

    Recently, a lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies, Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi, joined his voice on the clamour for governorship seat of Kwara State to shift to Kwara North Senatorial District in 2027.

    He appealed to the people of Kwara Central and Kwara South to support Kwara North’s quest.

  • Monarchs, group wants governorship seat shift to Kwara North in 2027

    Monarchs, group wants governorship seat shift to Kwara North in 2027

    Monarchs from Kwara South and a group known as Kwara South Equity Advocates (K-SEA) yesterday rooted for the shifting of the governorship seat to Kwara North in the 2027 general elections.

    This development would ensure equity, fairness, and justice, they contended.

    K-SEA lamented that the Kwara Central would by 2027 have ruled the state for 20 years.

    They noted that Kwara North has not had a shot at the governorship seat since 1999.

     Chairman of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal said this in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government area of the state at the maiden summit of the group.

    The summit was entitled: “A new dawn in Kwara: Quest for equity, fairness and justice; Kwara South for Kwara North.” Lawal said the group was poised to contribute to the advancement of democratic governance and equitable development in Kwara.

    “Since the commencement of the nascent democracy in 1999, with three regions in Kwara State: North, South, and Kwara Central, we have not experienced equitable distribution of power and inclusiveness, and this has adversely affected our democracy.

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    “In what looks like a polarization of democracy in our state, by 2027, Kwara Central would have governed the state for 20 years, Kwara South for eight years, while Kwara North has never had a taste of the leadership stool of the state. This is deepening the state of division and distrust that seems to pervade our society.

     “What, however, inspires hope in holding the bull by the horns in this struggle is the fact that the government, the administration, and the body language of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq signify a determination to awaken and restore the declining confidence of citizens in democratic institutions and the increasing disregard for democratic norms and rules, which many political actors deliberately ignored,” Lawal stated.

    Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers from Kwara South, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu said the monarchs were solidly behind the forum for the entrenchment of equity and justice in the political equation in the state.

    “We are in support of what you have dubbed equity, fairness, and justice. We appeal to all of us to stand by equity, fairness, and justice.”

    Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC,) Sunday Adeniran Fagbemi urged Kwarans to allow the governor choose his successor.

    Prince Fagbemi urged the forum to embark on wider consultations to secure the buy-in of all from Kwara South.

  • Kwara North demands ministerial, SSG slots

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara North Senatorial District  wants the positions of minister and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) be zoned to the area.

    Alhaji Muhammed Kudu, the Director-General, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq Campaign Organisation (AACO), Kwara North, made the request on behalf of the zone in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Kudu said that both Kwara south and central where the minister, the state APC chairman and the national publicity secretary of the party hail from are  fully represented in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    He said that Kwara north had no representative in the NWC, stressing that this could fuel a feeling of injustice and lack of fairness in the party.

    ”As it is, the NWC position from the state is in Kwara central, represented by Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, National Publicity Secretary.

    “The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Muhammed and Mr Bashir Bolarin the state chairman are both from Kwara South.

    ”So Kwara north has no position in the NWC of the party, the only person that can go to the NWC is the state chairman who is already from south, the current minister is also from Kwara South.’’

    He said that the governor-elect, Mr Adulrasaq is from Kwara central and would automatically be a member, adding that the north had no position and must be considered for the minister and the SSG in the new administrations.

    Kudu said that there was need to include the north in the running of APC in the state, adding that this would assuage the feelings of members in the zone.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara North Elder’s Council had earlier demanded for the ministerial slot, SSG, NWC membership and the speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    They hinged their demand on the fact that the zone ensured victory for the APC, despite its peculiarities of massive under development.

    Others included systematic deprivation of essentials of life and total neglect of the people and places by the past government in the state.

  • Kwara north endorses AbdulRazaq’s governorship bid

    esidents of Kwara North Senatorial District have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, ahead of the March 2 election.

    The people resolved to support the APC candidate when he, alongside other candidates for the National and state Assemblies elections, visited Kaiama and Baruten local government areas.

    Abdulrazaq and his entourage were led by the Director General of APC Campaign Kwara North, Muhammad Kudu Muhammad, to canvass for votes for APC in the areas.

    During the campaign rally, stakeholders, young and old, trooped out en masse to receive the APC stalwarts in a carnival-like reception at various locations in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of the state.

    Addressing the excited electorate, the APC governorship candidate pledged to embark on rapid infrastructural development with a view to creating jobs and boosting the economy of the areas.

    In Pategi, Edu and Moro local government areas, also in Kwara north, Abdulrazaq promised the residents a new lease of life, if elected governor.

    The renowned businessman promised to facilitate better welfare and even distribution of resources to the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He also pledged to accord traditional institutions their rightful place, if APC wins the polls. Abdulrazaq said his government would abolish local government’s joint account with a view to making local government areas more functional.

    He listed employment generation through agriculture and turnaround of Kwara economy as other areas he would give priority.

  • ‘Kwara north signed no pact with Saraki, PDP on power shift’

    The Kwara North Senatorial District has dissociated itself from the purported agreement with Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the forthcoming general elections.

    The zone, under the aegis of All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders, said the purported memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with Saraki, some traditional rulers and stakeholders from the state’s north was a charade.

    The ruling PDP in the state, on Sunday, announced that it had signed a pack with Kwara north to shift the governorship ticket to the zone in 2023, if the party gets the zone’s support for its candidates in this year’s general elections.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, leader of APC elders, Senator Ahmed Mohammed said monarchs from the zone and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, were corralled to witness the alleged undertaking to make the pact look authentic.

    Mohammed added: “The royal fathers were corralled in place as witnesses to the solemn undertaking being executed in recognition of the perceived monumental injustice suffered in the last 16 years of our political inter-relationship with the Saraki dynasty.

    “Ordinarily, we would not have bothered to react to what is essentially an intra-party affair, but the presence of our royal fathers at the occasion raises some concerns among well-meaning patriotic leaders and stakeholders from the zone because of its capability to confer legitimacy on what has been widely regarded as an act of deceit, a piece of chicanery executed in duplicity and bad faith and generally borne out of desperation to cling to power by all means.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we hereby wish to state categorically that contrary to the impression that the agreement is meant to create in the public mind, the vast majority of our people are more than ever before united in purposeful determination, in concert with others across the state, to do away with bad leadership that the PDP has offered over the years.

    “APC, which is the future of democracy in Kwara State, holds better opportunities for us, which, unlike the PDP, its own style will be a collective leadership, not a one-man dictatorship. We can rest assured that the principle of rotation and zoning will be the cardinal principle that everybody will observe and respect for the overall good of our dear state.

    “We advise very strongly that our traditional institution should be insulated from the murky waters of politics. By bringing them to witness what is essentially an intra-party deal is, to say the least, both demeaning and despicable.

    “The Kwara north joins other senatorial districts to put an end to the despotic, exploitative dynasty that has kept the state in bondage for so many years. Enough is enough.”

    The senator regretted the deplorable infrastructural situation in the zone under the Saraki dynasty over the years.

  • Kwara North elders ask APC for deputy governor

    Kwara North All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of the deputy governor to the senatorial district.

    The forum, in its resolution at the end of a stakeholders meeting and signed by Senator Mohammed Ahmed (chairman, Kwara North Elders), Chief Wole Oke, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, Ezekiel Benjamin and Alhassan Bagidi said: “The position of the deputy governor be zoned to Kwara north in order to compensate our zone in view of the fact that the flag bearer of the party is from the central, while the state chairman is from the south. It is only fair to have the north to produce the deputy governor.

    “We therefore, appeal that our resolution which seeks for fairness and justice be respected in order to give our zone a sense of belonging.

    “The stakeholders caucus expressed reservation on the outcome of the just concluded governorship primary elections, the position which the zone believed rightly belonged to it in the principle of fairness and natural justice.

    It added: “However, as party loyalists and strong proponents of the liberation of the state from the age long oppressors and our unflinching support for our President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently called for peace and unity among party leaders and loyalists in order to guarantee our success at the 2019 polls, consequently, after due consultation and a meeting held with Kwara north critical stakeholders we unanimously agreed and settled for the deputy governorship slot.”

  • ‘Kwara North should produce next governor’

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Alhaji Shuaib Yaman, has indicated that the formula for the party to win 2019 election is for it to pick its candidate from Kwara North senatorial district.

    Yaman, a political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the district’s numerical strength, compared to the other two districts, is capable of giving the APC victory at the poll.

    The aspirant told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that Kwara Central delivered 41 per cent of the votes that brought in the incumbent governor, while Kwara North gave him only 20 per cent.

    He said: “By the way, Ilorin has the highest population, because it is the state capital. The inhabitants are made up of people from all parts of the state and even non indigenes.

    “Going by the voting pattern in the last election, Ilorin delivered 41 per cent votes. Whether we like it or not, Bukola Saraki will take a chunk out of that. Today, go to Kwara North, we are almost 95 per cent APC.

    “We are coming together for the first time and the Emirs have announced that the people they represent are all APC. If you take our own 30 per cent, which is original, Bukola Saraki will take 50 per cent of the 41 per cent of the Kwara Central; leaving about 20.5 per cent.

    “Which reasonable political calculation would pick 20.5 per cent, instead of 30 per cent that is assured.”

    Yaman is confident that the APC would pick its governorship candidate from the northerner part of the state.

    He added: “The PDP short-changed this country for so long, by using autocratic means in selecting its candidates. This is precisely what the APC has come to change. The APC is a party based on fairness and justice. I cannot even dream it that the APC will give the slot to Kwara Central.”

    Justifying why Kwara North should produce the next governor, he said: “I happen to come from Kwara North and we strongly believe that given the singular reason of giving every part of the state a sense of belonging, we believe the district should be the one to produce the next governor. And it is simple. Kwara Central has had it for 12 good years. The late Admiral Mohammed Lawal for four years and Saraki had eight years, making a total of 12.

    “Now, Kwara South is almost completing its eight years. And it is significant here that one individual is aspiring from Kwara South. It means that there must be a sense of fairness from this people from Kwara South. It must be because of their sense of justice that no one from the district has out to say he is contesting the governorship seat in the 2019 elections.

    “Every other part must be given its own due place of recognition. And I say it all the time: How will Kwara Central justify it that they have had it for 12 years? And they will now come and appropriate another eight years that belongs to Kwara North, making theirs 20 and on what pedestal will anybody stand to say the northerners should not have? Are we sub-humans or we are not qualified to rule or that we are slaves? In whatever way we look at it, it is unjustifiable.

    “Take Nigeria as an instance, northerner Nigeria as it is constituted has got enough numerical strength to keep the presidency in perpetuity. But, for every part of the nation to have a sense of belonging, Kwara North has conceded that it should rotational and it has become a convention.

    “The other argument I hear is that it is not in the constitution that we must rotate. There are even constitutions that are not written. The British constitution is just a Charter. It is not written.

    “The foundation for peace is justice. At this stage, we believe what is just is just and what is fair is fair. It is the turn of the Kwara North to produce the governor. Anybody giving any other story is saying it on selfish stand.

    “This is the story they bandied in 2011. They told us that if we want to defeat Bukola Saraki, we must field an Ilorin man. Dele Belgore was presented, he did not win. Abdulfatah Ahmed from Kwara South won. So, why are they giving us the same soup that we tasted yesterday that was bitter. Either way, it is wrong, immoral and unjustifiable for Kwara  Central to even attempt; after all they claim to be our brothers.”

  • ‘Kwara North should produce next governor’

    Governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara state, Alhaji Shuaib Yaman has said that the formula for the party to win 2019 election is for APC to pick its candidate from Kwara north.

    Alhaji Yaman, a political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the district’s numerical strength with other parts of the state is capable of giving APC victory at the poll.

    The aspirant told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, adding that “the last election the central had 41 percent, the north is acknowledged to have done 20. By the way Ilorin should have the highest population as it is the state capital. It is made up of people from all parts of the state and even non indigenes.

    “As it is shown in the voting pattern in the last election that Ilorin had 41 percent, whether we like it or not Bukola Saraki will take a chunk out of that. Today go to Kwara North we are almost 95 percent APC.

    “We are coming together for the first time and the Emirs have announced that the people they represent are all APC. If you take our own 30 percent which is original. Bukola Saraki will take 50 percent of the 41 percent of the Kwara central leaving about 20.5 percent.

    Which reasonable political calculation would pick 20.5 percent instead of 30 percent that is assured.”

    He is confident that APC would pick its governorship candidate from the northerner part of the state.

    “The PDP short-changed this country for so long using autocratic means in selecting the candidates. This is precisely what APC has come to change.

    “APC is a party based on fairness and justice. I can not even dream it that APC will not give the slot to Kwara central,” he added.

    Justifying why the north whoud produce the next governor of the stat, he said: “I happen to come from Kwara North and we strongly believe that given the singular reason of giving every part of the state a sense of belonging, should be the one to produce the next governor of the state. And it is simple. Kwara central has had it for twelve good years. Late Admiral Mohammed Lawal for four years, Bukola Saraki had eight years making a total of twelve.

    “Now the Kwara South is almost completing its eight years. And it is significant here that one individual is aspiring from the south. It means that there must be a sense of fairness from this people from the south. It must be sense of justice that making any of them not to come out for the governorship seat for 2019 elections.

    “Every other part of this state must be given its own due place of recognition. And i say it all the time. How will Kwara central justify it that they have had it for twelve years? And they will now come and appropriate another eight years that belong to the north making theirs 20 and on what pedestal will anybody stand to say the northerners should not have. Are we sub-humans or we are not qualified to rule or that we are slaves? In whatever way we look at it, it is unjustifiable.

    “Take Nigeria as an instance, northerner Nigeria as it is constituted has got enough numerical strength to keep the presidency of the country in perpetuity.  But for every part of the nation a sense of belonging, the north has conceded that it should rotational and it has become a convention.

    “The other argument i hear that it is not in the constitution that we must rotate. There are even constitutions that are not written. The

    British Constitution is just a Charter. It is not written.

    “The foundation for peace is justice. In this stage we believe what is just is just and what is fair is fair. It is the turn of the Northerner Kwara to produce the governor. Anybody giving any other story is saying it on selfish stand.