Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed The Newsmaker In this report, Olawale Olaleye and Hammed Shittu capture some of the attractions that dotted the declaration of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term The sleepy town of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has a lot to recall about the event of last Wednesday which not only kept it awake as early as six in the morning, it also brought to its reckoning some of the eminent personalities who call the shots in the nation’s body polity. For the size of Kwara, its demography and total make-up as a state in the federation, the declaration ceremony of the governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office was nothing short of a statement rally, which message of course, may have been well understood by the opposition in the state. As people arrived in their bits to honour Ahmed, the further they closed up the little space of Kwara, thus choking up the atmosphere with a clear message of presence by the ruling party – the All progress Congress (APC) – which was until earlier in the year, controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Although the political configuration in the state is that of a two party system, the APC as it is common knowledge was made up of several other opposition parties, standing huge and tall in the Kwara State political firmament. This is however coming several months after a plethora of political extrapolations and intrigues, when stakeholders in the APC in Kwara state led by the Senator representing Kwara central, Dr. Bukola Saraki endorsed Ahmed for a second term endorsement. Thus, the mega rally held at Ilorin Metropolitan Square, along Asa Dam road, Ilorin, simply set the stage for the race to the Ahmadu Bello Government House, Ilorin at next year’s general election in the state. Among those at the rally were the three presidential aspirants of the APC – former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari( rtd.), former vice-president Atiku Abubakar and the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankaso. There was also one of the leaders of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hom. Aminu Tambuawal. Also in attendance were the Governors of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshmohele, of Imo State, Roachas Okorocha, of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, as well as the representatives of the governors of Ogun and Nassarawa States, former minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and host of other leaders and supporters of the party Prior to the endorsement rally, other gladiators in the party like the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa, former Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had been working behind the scene to secure the nod of the party leader to run. But APC stakeholders in the state chose to allow the incumbent governor to continue in office in order to consolidate on all his projects and those of the past administration of Saraki as well as initiate new ones capable of adding more values to the socio-economic turf of Kwara. Besides, a meeting of the stakeholders of the party led by Saraki had been convened at the Ilofa GRA, Ilorin, residence of Saraki, where they unanimously endorsed Ahmed for the second term in office, long before the rally. In addition, various interest groups in the state had publicly demanded for his second term and endorsed him as the sole candidate of the APC. Among such groups are students, youths, women, artisans, transporters like Okada riders associations and a pressure group from the party by name Kwara South Leaders Forum. They all hinged the basis of their endorsements on the performance of Ahmed, his loyalty and the political exigency in the state, bordering on power rotation, among others. These, of course, culminated in the rally of last Wednesday. However, as early as 8a.m, the venue was already full to capacity thereby giving security operatives a hell of time controlling the crowd and traffic. In his opening remarks, the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Isola Balogun Fulani listed the many achievements of the governor in the last three and a half years, noting that in addition to these was the governor’s loyalty and commitment to the leadership of the party in the state. Collaborating this, Saraki said the superlative achievements and loyalty earned him the second term ticket, sounding a note of warning that there was no chance for seasonal politicians in the state in next year’s elections. He urged the people of the state to come out and cast their votes for Ahmed during the election. Another chieftain of the APC in the state and former acting national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje said the party was committed to adding values to the people of the state and that the people should not allow the PDP to rig the elections in the state. Baraje however described Ahned as one of the best serving governors in the country even as he asked the Kwara people to rally round him and the APC so that he can continue in office. Saraki thereafter presented Ahmed to the members and supporters of APC in the state as the governorship candidate of the party for 2015 elections in the state. He also called on the people to cast their votes for him and assist him win his re-election. While responding, an obviously elated Ahmed lauded the leader of the party and other stakeholders of the party in the state for their support to his administration, stressing that such support has assisted in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Ahmed who said his administration had fulfilled its mandate to the people of the state in the field of free education, health, rural integration, roads development, youths’ employment, women empowerment, workers welfare, water, among others, promising better deals in 2015. By the grace of God, if elected for a second term come 2015, I will ensure the state witness more development in the area of youths’ development, housing and sports, among others to add more values to the wellbeing of Kwarans. Gushing in afterwards were various goodwill messages. Abubakar who claimed the event was his happiest day on earth noted that I was a foundation member of the current dispensation in Kwara State. I wish Oloye were here today, we should make sure we sustain the legacy Oloye left behind by making sure that Ahmed is returned. Tambuwal, on his part, said In Kwara State your political history is very rich. You have had the foundation of the political struggle of this state laid by our late leader, Dr Olusola Saraki. This structure that is being sustained by God Almighty has always delivered Kwara to the right place. I believe that this time around there will not be anything different. With the support of the people of the state APC shall form 100 per cent the government in the state from the local council to state assembly and to the Government House. Tinubu, who came a bit late, also said I want to thank all of you. Let me forget the protocol, because you are the voters. You are the people who must vote. We bring the greetings and respect of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and the entire APC states in Nigeria. What I want to beg of you is to be ready to defend change. The race has started again. We have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office as he has performed creditably well just like his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki. I will come back. This is just the endorsement of Governor Ahmed; that he will be re-elected by the grace of God with the support of you people here and those outside there. The unemployment situation will be conquered by this administration of APC. We have the vision for the security of the lives of our children, he noted. Oshiomhele, in his remarks, said he was impressed by the notable achievements of the Ahmed administration hence his personal attendance to eulogise the political legacies of Dr. Olusola Saraki, which he said has continued to provide good leadership in the state. Amaechi who mounted the podium with his usual dramatic dance steps said This is the time to say the truth. The PDP is a party of liars, they are not truthful. When someone has done well, you say thank you. We have come to say thank you. On the day of election, dont allow PDP to rig you, they will bring soldiers and police, dont allow them to intimidate you; they are stealing our money, they took it to South Africa, it’s time to fund our military to overcome these terrorists, he added. There is no doubting the fact that Ahmed is now safe with his governorship ticket by the APC for next year’s elections. This has therefore set in motion, a rat-race to the Ahmadu Bello Government House, Ilorin. Ahmed is however expected to contest with whoever emerges from other political parties, the PDP especially, providing the people of Kwara an opportunity to elect the candidate of their choice. But ultimately, the people of Kwara are looking forward to the surprises that await the outcome of next year’s elections.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:35:22 +0000
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