Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has paid a get-well-soon visit to six soldiers recently injured in a counterterrorism operation in Kaiama.

It would be recalled that several of the terrorists were eliminated in the fierce encounter in which three gallant soldiers paid the supreme price.

The Governor, who again announced N20m support for each of the fallen soldiers and N5m each for those injured, said the sacrifices of the security forces are priceless.

Commending the quality of care and the facilities at the Intensive Care Unit of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, one of his many projects, Governor AbdulRazaq thanked the security forces for their services to our fatherland.

From Hassan Taiye

Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has dismissed allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to undermine opposition parties through the electoral system, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains an autonomous institution deserving of respect.

Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly lobby in Abuja on Monday during activities marking his 66th birthday, the former Abia State governor described claims by opposition elements, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as “frivolous” and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic image.

According to him, the APC has no control over INEC, stressing that the electoral umpire, under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan , operates independently.

Kalu said: “The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the Chairman of INEC. He is an erudite Professor of Law… So, let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country ”.

The lawmaker also rejected insinuations that the ruling party is coercing politicians, particularly governors, to defect into its fold. He maintained that party membership remains a matter of personal choice and negotiation, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never pressured anyone to join the APC.

“President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party… If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. When you come, we negotiate; if it is good, you stay; if not, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody,” he stated.

On permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly speculations that the Senate Presidency may be zoned to the South East, Kalu said he was unaware of any such arrangement, describing zoning decisions as the exclusive prerogative of party leadership. While not ruling himself out, he emphasized that he is not lobbying for any position.

“I’m not aware of that. It is for the leadership of the party to decide. If anything is given to me, I will take, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything,” he said.

Addressing concerns raised by some members of the 1999 class of governors about alleged marginalisation by the current administration, Kalu downplayed the claims, asserting that President Tinubu maintains cordial relations with his contemporaries.

He cited recent interactions between the President and several former governors as evidence of ongoing engagement.

On governance and regional development, the former Senate Chief Whip cautioned against narratives suggesting that the South East has been sidelined in successive administrations.

He noted that both the late Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have contributed meaningfully to national development, including the South East.

“Every President has something to add. Buhari has contributed his quota, Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” Kalu remarked.

Turning to the economy, the senator offered a nuanced assessment of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda, stating that while macroeconomic indicators show progress, challenges persist at the grassroots level due to insecurity and sabotage.

“The upper end of the reform is working… investors are coming in. But the lower end has problems because of insecurity and sabotage. Reforms take time; they don’t happen in one day,” he explained, drawing parallels with long-term reform trajectories in countries like China and Singapore.

Kalu further expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election prospects in 2027, describing the opposition as weak and lacking viable alternatives. He argued that the APC’s growing membership base and nationwide acceptance position it strongly ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“I don’t think anybody will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election… APC is like a moving train. Even in places that were not APC before, people are joining. We are rocking like a hurricane,” he declared.

The senator concluded by urging political actors to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and presenting credible policy alternatives, rather than engaging in what he described as unproductive criticism.

• Say equity, justice, fairness make this demand imperative

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Moro local government area of Kwara State have appealed to aspirants vying for the House of Representatives’ seat of the Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency in the 2027 election, particularly from the Edu local government area to concede the slot to their area.

They hinged their demand on the fact that it is only Moro local government area that has not been given the opportunity to occupy that position out of the three local government areas of Edu, Moro and Patigi for the past 28 years since the inception of democracy in 1999.

The stakeholders in a statement signed by Mallam Kareem Suleiman, for and on behalf of the people of Moro local government area, also backed the zoning of the governorship seat of the State to the Kwara North Senatorial District in 2027.

Advancing further reasons why Moro LGA should be considered for the House of Representatives’ seat, Sulaiman said: ” Beside Moro local government area in the Kwara North Senatorial District, there are four other local government councils of Baruten, Edu, Kaiama and Patigi. The Senatorial District also has two federal constituencies of Baruten/Kaiama and Edu/Moro/Patigi.

“Moro Local Government is in Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency in Kwara State and since the inception of the present democratic governance in 1999, the four local governments of Baruten, Kaiama, Edu and Patigi have been rotating the senatorial seat between Baruten/Kaiama local governments on one side and Edu/Patigi on the other.

“Moro local government has therefore been sidelined and isolated in the adopted rotational scheme, while it has also not been given the opportunity to go to the Senate.

“This is much unlike each of the other Four local governments, which within themselves, have gone to the Senate at one time or the other in the past and presently.

“In a similar vein, for the Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency, both Edu and Patigi local governments would have between themselves produced Candidates for the House of Representatives Seat for 16 and 12 years respectively by 2027.”

He listed those who have occupied the seats in the past to include late Rt. Hon. Engr. Yahaya Yinusa, from Edu Local Government (1999-2007), late Rt. Hon. Bahago Hamman Pategi, from Patigi Local Government (2007-2019), Rt. Hon. Ahmed Ndakene, from Edu Local Government (2019-2023) and Rt. Hon. Dr. Adam Ahmad Saba from Edu Local Government (2023-2027).

While supporting the call for zoning of governorship seat to Kwara n6orth, the statement added: “In the same vein and in view of the fact that the two scenarios are quite similar and the doctrine that ‘those who call for equity, should come with clean hands’, we hereby unequivocally call on the Leadership of the APC, both at the State and National levels, to zone the 2027 Seat for Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency to Moro Local Government.

“This should be in the overall interest of natural justice, equity, fairness and the demonstration of the sense of unity and inclusivity in governance, to the people of Moro local government.”