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Saraki hails peaceful conduct of PDP State Congress in Kwara

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  • 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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Politics

KAWU HAILS TINUBU’S LANDSLIDE APC PRIMARY VICTORY, DESCRIBES IT AS “A TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY ”

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Rt. Hon. Comrade Hafiz Kawu, OON, mni, Executive Commissioner (Technical) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his overwhelming victory at the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Election, describing the outcome as a clear endorsement of the President’s leadership and reform-driven administration.
Kawu, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the President’s victory was not only historic but also a reflection of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the Renewed Hope agenda.
President Tinubu secured a massive victory in the nationwide direct primary election conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards, polling over 10 million votes to defeat his challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo.
Reacting to the result, Kawu said the election demonstrated the strength of Nigeria’s democratic process and the willingness of Nigerians to stand behind a leader they believe is committed to national progress.
According to him, the President’s decision to participate in an open and transparent direct primary election despite being the incumbent leader showed rare courage, humility, and democratic conviction.
He noted that President Tinubu could easily have relied on the influence of incumbency but instead chose to subject himself to the will of party members and ordinary Nigerians through a grassroots voting process.
Kawu praised the President for championing reforms that strengthened internal party democracy, saying the direct primary system gave millions of Nigerians a sense of participation and ownership in the political process.
The PenCom Commissioner further commended the Tinubu administration for implementing policies and reforms aimed at repositioning the country’s economy, improving infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and enhancing workers’ welfare through measures such as the new national minimum wage.
He stated that many Nigerians were beginning to see the practical impact of the administration’s policies, adding that the outcome of the primary election reflected public appreciation for the President’s efforts.
Kawu also described Tinubu as a leader with a strong vision for national development and unity, stressing that the renewed mandate from party members should serve as further motivation to continue delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
He reaffirmed his support and loyalty to the President’s administration and prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the President as he continues to steer the affairs of the nation.
Kawu concluded by expressing optimism that Nigeria would continue to witness growth, stability, and progress under President Tinubu’s leadership.

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Dogara Commends Tinubu’s Resounding APC Primary Victory

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Dogara, who served as Bauchi State Coordinator and Collation Officer while also sitting on the national Presidential Primary Election Committee, said the outcome was not just a win for Tinubu but a triumph for grassroots democracy. He congratulated the President on behalf of Bauchi State and in his capacity as a member of the committee, calling the victory extraordinary, historic, and thoroughly deserved.

The final results revealed Tinubu’s overwhelming mandate: 10,999,162 votes across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, compared to just 15,503 for his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo. For Dogara, this margin was more than a statistic; it was a declaration of trust from millions of APC members nationwide. He noted that nearly eleven million Nigerians had risen as one to affirm a leader who had earned their confidence, describing the outcome as a movement rather than just a result.

Dogara commended the election committee, chaired by former SGF Pius Anyim and including respected figures such as Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Idris Wada, for ensuring transparency, credibility, and fairness throughout the process. He said the committee had been given a sacred mandate to guarantee integrity and was proud that it discharged that responsibility faithfully.

He also highlighted Tinubu’s decision to subject himself to direct primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, which abolished delegate voting and empowered millions of party members at the grassroots. Dogara stressed that Tinubu could have relied on the powers of incumbency but instead chose to stand before the people. He described this as humility and character, noting that Tinubu had signed the law, championed the reforms, and then submitted himself to the same process, proving his commitment to democratic principles.

In his closing remarks, Dogara urged Tinubu to carry the weight of the people’s confidence with integrity and purpose. He reminded the President that nearly eleven million Nigerians had entrusted him with their hopes, calling it a responsibility of historic proportions. He charged Tinubu to fulfill that mandate faithfully, declaring that history is watching and that Nigerians are proud.

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APC Reps Primary: Akpanke Wins Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Ticket

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Over the weekend, Hon. Peter A. Akpanke emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross River State after securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the three local government areas.

The primary election, monitored by party officials and stakeholders, recorded a total of 18,921 registered APC members and delegates across Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas.

Official results collation which was made available to journalists showed that 16,564 valid votes were cast during the exercise, with no void votes recorded.

According to the results, Hon. Akpanke polled a total of 14,252 votes to defeat five other aspirants, with
Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie scoring 101 votes;
Hon. Martin Orim with 1,572 votes;
Anthonia A. Ally with 104 votes;
Dr. Vincent A. Ushie with 270 votes and
Dr. Godwin A. Agbor with 265 votes.

A breakdown of the constituency wide results showed that Akpanke secured 4,749 votes in Obanliku Local Government Area, 4,886 votes in Obudu Local Government Area, and 4,617 votes in Bekwarra Local Government Area, consolidating respectively.

Following the conclusion of the collation process, APC electoral officials formally declared Hon. Peter A. Akpanke winner of the party’s House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

The primary election was described by stakeholders, observers and party officials as peaceful, orderly transparent and credible, noting that the outcome reflected the will of party delegates and members across the constituency.

The primary election was conducted under the supervision of APC electoral officials who demonstrated true professionalism, with the official collation documents signed and dated May 16, 2026.

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