• Rues spate of banditry, kidnappings in the State
• As Bawa Issa elected new State Chairman

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has lauded the peaceful conduct of the congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State at the ward, local government and state levels, acknowledging those who ensured that consensus candidates emerged without rancour and bitterness across the State

Speaking on Saturday evening in Ilorin, the state capital, at the party’s state Congress, Saraki said: “This positive development is something we should all take pride in and be proud of. It confirms that we are a party with values of good leadership, organisation, and discipline. It is an indication that we are a party whose members are prepared to make the necessary sacrifices required to govern the state at all levels.

“I appreciate all those who have made the various congresses successful which are clear signals that those who know how to govern and organise in Kwara State are all in PDP.”

Saraki thanked all the outgoing members of the state, local government, and ward executive committees for their efforts and contributions to the sustenance of the party, especially the outgoing state Chairman, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, assuring them that they would be called again in the nearest future to serve the party in different capacities.

The former Senate President, who was elated by the theme of the Congress: “Returning Kwara to a secure State that it has always been”, noted that the theme “indicates the primacy and importance that our party places on the issue of the security of lives and property”, while also showcasing “Kwara PDP as a platform of responsible, responsive, and compassionate political leaders who will always show empathy for the plight of the people”.

He lamented that Kwara State is currently in a precarious state, as it “is being overrun by bandits, kidnappers, and killers who have waged a ceaseless, needless, and careless onslaught on our people”.

He added: “Yet, the government in Kwara State and all the people in governance in the state have maintained a posture of apathy, nonchalance, and a carefree attitude. The people in government have watched without a clue on how to stop the violence waged against our people by insurgents. Every day, the story from Kwara State in the national media is about killings, kidnappings, and the displacement of people from their communities.

“In the last 12 months, about 70 people have been reportedly killed in Kwara North and South while about 50 people have sustained various forms of injury from the assailants. Within the same period, about 42 people have been kidnapped. Also, some communities have been sacked as the residents abandoned their homes. Under the present government, Kwara State is becoming a one-town-state as everybody in the northern and southern senatorial zones is converging on Ilorin to escape becoming the next victims of the spate of insecurity.

“It has never been this bad in our state known as the State of Harmony. The state government is living in denial and trying to suppress the facts, figures, and scenarios from coming out. They focus on accusing the opposition, which has been alerting the Federal Government and security agencies of the danger that now lurks in our communities, of playing politics with security.

“No responsible citizen or party will play politics with the danger to the lives and livelihood of people. But as responsible politicians and political platforms who want to genuinely serve our people, we will not keep quiet. We will continue to alert the national and international communities about the danger that daily confronts our people. We will continue to urge the people who can help to come to the rescue of the Kwara people.”

He, therefore, urged all the newly elected members of the executives to “lead the charge across the state to meet with the people, young and old, men and women, community leaders, professionals, workers, artisans, traders, transporters, and all to win their support, confidence, and vote when the time comes for mobilisation towards the 2027 elections.

“We should be up and doing in all our wards meeting and constantly engaging with Kwarans. The stakes are too high now for Kwarans to reward failure.”

He added: “At this point, dear PDP members, let me remind us that next year, the party at the national level following the guidelines by INEC will roll out the timetable and guidelines for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 polls. I want us to be prepared to conduct these primaries with the maturity, patriotism, devotion, sense of sacrifice, give and take, and love with which we did with the congresses that we just concluded.

“Let us make the primary elections for the selection of candidates another family affair where all of us will congratulate each other at the end of the day and be ready to work for our collective victory. We have to realise that the task ahead requires that all hands must be on deck.”

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Bawa Issa, appreciated the leaders of the party, for their commitment and confidence reposed in him and other executive members, promising to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He promised to “rebuild trust and give equal opportunity to anyone who believes in the cause of the party for the progress of all”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the outgoing party Chairman, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, had stated that the “PDP today is the party to beat in Kwara State. It is currently the strongest party in the State,” while commending Saraki for his leadership role.

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