The All Progressives Congress, APC, has commiserated with Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu over the death of his father and Tafarikin Borgu Alhaji Aliyu Gwanara.

The APC, in a statement issued during the weekend expressed sadness over the death of Alhaji Aliyu Gwanara, who was described as a humble and topmost community leader mother.

” The APC family deeply shares in the pain of Rt Hon Danladi at this moment of grief, knowing the anguish of losing a very close and dearly beloved father,” the statement added.

The party therefore joined the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state’s House of Assembly, Baruten local government area and the entire party faithfuls in the grief, prays for the forgiveness of the shortcomings of the deceased and repose of his soul peacefully in Aljanah.

Signed

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi

State Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress

Ilorin, Kwara State.

The All Progressives Congress is constrained to clear the air following the me-or-no-one-else attitude of Mr. Segun Adebayo over the primaries for the Ekiti/Oke Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal House of Representatives Constituency

This statement becomes necessary after all reasonable attempts have been made to get him to see beyond parochial interest and allow fairness, party interest, and rule of law to take its cause.

While it was true that primaries were indeed held on May 27, 2022 for the House of Representatives, it is also true that the outcome of the one for Oke Ero/Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin was dogged by allegations of favoritism, intimidation of delegates, and thuggery, among others. Mr. Segun Adebayo was alleged to have benefited from electoral heist on that day. Careful reviews of these petitions meant that the party had to cancel the controversial outcome and order a rerun in the interest of fairness. This is so that the party is not burdened by widespread disenchantments among the largest majority of its members in that area.

Consequently, a rerun was quickly called to beat the deadline and everyone, including Mr. Segun Adebayo, was duly informed. It is also important to debunk the assumption that Honourable Olawuyi Ajuloopin did not obtain form. No law prevents another person from joining the race, including Hon. Ajuloopin who, like Mr. Segun Adebayo, is a valued member of the party once they meet the legal thresholds to do so.

The rerun was therefore done in accordance with the law, witnessed by relevant organs like the Independent National Electoral Commission. It is important to state that a boycott of an election by any aspirant does not render it unlawful.

The party again urges Mr. Segun Adebayo to rise beyond sentiments, slow down on his orchestrated media war against fellow party faithful, and act as a true party man who would avoid anything capable of portraying him and the party in negative light without any legal or moral basis.

Signed
Alhaji Tajudeeen Aro Folaranmi,
State Publicity Secretary,
Kwara State APC,
Ilorin.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his emergence as the presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next year’s ballot.

The Governor described the emergence of Asiwaju as truly deserving, saying the ballot represents a resounding vote of confidence by the largest majority of party faithfuls and leaders in his capacity to lead the party to another victory.

“It was a moment to speak to the direction the party must take to consolidate on its own wins, build on the many successes of President Muhammadu Buhari, and raise a dynamic successor team that is able to take up the challenges of nation-building and development in a peculiar age of changing metrics of governance and collective security. In antecedence, capacity, and reach, there is no doubt that Asiwaju ticks all the right boxes. With his emergence, our party is clearly destined for a big win in the next general elections,” the Governor said.

“I therefore congratulate and commend His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for showing a good example in bequeathing to the party and the country a flag bearer and successor in a befittingly democratic way. This is a new height in party politics and internal democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

“I equally commend my brothers-Progressive Governors, especially from the North, for standing up and be counted when it mattered most in the life of our party. History will not forget that singular stand that shows our love for our country and its cohesion.”

The Governor also commended the party leadership as well as all the aspirants for their great efforts and statesmanship as the curtain is drawn on the APC presidential primaries.

Rafiu Ajakaye C

hief Press Secretary to the Governor

June 8, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday afternoon cleared all doubts about where he stands on the choice of a presidential candidate for the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, declaring before the party’s 14 governors of northern states that he has “no preferred candidate,” and has “anointed no one,” and is determined to ensure that “there shall be no imposition of any candidate on the party.”

Speaking at a meeting with the Governors at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari said the party is important and its members must be respected, and made to feel they are important.

The President said he had a clear mind about what he was doing and asked the APC governors to feel the same way: “You were elected as I was. Have a clear mind as I have. God gave us the chance; we have no reason to complain. We must be ready to take pain as we take the joy. Allow the delegates to decide. The Party must participate, nobody will appoint anybody.”

Earlier in their addresses, the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Bako Lalong and Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of the Progressive Governors Forum, said they had come to affirm the position of the Northern Governors that the party’s candidate in the presidential election shall come from the southern part of the country.

They apologised to the President for the leakage of their signed memorandum which was not in support of any particular candidate and gave assurances to the President on their readiness to accept his leadership on the matter.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

June 6, 2022

At a meeting held Sunday night at State House, Abuja, with members of the National Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard bearer, and concluded: we are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.

Saying the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period, the President added that the motive was “to strengthen our unity and to focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”

He added: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

“In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.

“I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

President Buhari recalled that at the meeting with the Governors and the aspirants, “I underscored the important roles consensus building and consultation have played in the survival of successful political parties around the world, adding that our party should not be an exception.

“Recognizing the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasized the need to strengthen our unity, stabilize our internal cohesion and system as well as present a formidable Presidential candidate who has the ability to build a unified nation and the capacity to deal with our challenges.

“The party machinery has also screened all our aspirants to the office of the President and found that they consist of eminent personalities, rich in experience, capacity, commitment to service and accomplishment in life. This gives us a lot of confidence but it also comes with its challenges.”

He said that in the circumstances, in order to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and also reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership has recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus building to reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which commences Monday , June 6, 2022.

The President said in order to further support the efforts of the party, he has admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party, so that the objective of the recommendation by the leadership would be actualized.

And as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, the President says he recognizes the fact that they all have diverse interests, spheres of influence and expectations. “You similarly possess the collective ability to ensure our victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.

“My charge and appeal to all of you, therefore, is to reach out to your various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus building so that a formidable candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections would emerge from the convention. Our citizens do not expect less from us.”

President Buhari assured, as he did to the Governors and the aspirants, that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and on-going consultations, “till we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace.”

Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, Major General Mohammed Magodo (retd), former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, thanked the President for the consultative meetings, and commended him for the great service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.

They were unanimous that with hard work and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year, as well National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

June 5, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday night met with all the aspirants for President on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), at State House, Abuja, urging them to hold consultations, and come up with a formidable candidate before the party holds its primary election between June 6-8, 2022.

The President said the meeting was a continuation of the on-going consultative process aimed at ensuring a smooth and strategic emergence of a standard bearer, who will lead the APC to a resounding victory in the upcoming presidential polls.

“Looking at this assemblage of personalities and considering your rich pedigree of accomplishments in life, I have come to the conclusion that our party, the APC, is rich in human resources and also that our nation is blessed with capable people that can successfully steer the ship of state into the future,” President Buhari said.

He added that with his first-hand knowledge of the demands of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the expectations of the citizens, “I must salute your courage and your selfless spirit, in volunteering to serve in the highest office of the land.”

The President added: “Our party, the APC, has won two successive presidential elections in 2015, first when we were in the opposition and in 2019 when I sought re-election. Both processes were achieved through unity of purpose, strategic alignment, consultation, fairness, determination and effective leadership. In both instances, national and party interests were overriding factors in our deliberations and decision-making.

“The 2023 General Elections are fast approaching in a global, regional and national environment that is constantly changing and challenging. This demands that our party should become more aware of the changing environment, be responsive to the yearnings of our citizens, re-evaluate our strategy and strengthen our internal mechanism so that we would sustain the electoral successes.

“I am pleased to note that the party, recognizing the significance of all these demands, has over time developed several democratically acceptable processes and policies, that promote consultation, internal cohesion and leadership to facilitate victories at the polls.”

The President recalled the consultation he had held with stakeholders “that would help the electoral fortunes of our party, beginning with the State Governors. This is the second in the series and I still look forward to meeting with party stakeholders. These steps are being taken to ensure that the unity and cohesion of the party are sustained and to provide direction.

“Amongst others things, I reminded the APC Governors of the need for the party to proceed to the 2023 Presidential elections with strength, unity of purpose and to present a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of hope and confidence, while ensuring victory for our party. I extend a similar reminder to all of you distinguished aspirants.”

Saying the APC will on Monday June 6, 2022 commence its national convention during which one candidate will be picked by delegates to fly the flag of the party for the 2023 Presidential Election, President Buhari said he was aware that there is anxiety among party members about the outcome of the process.

“Given these circumstances, I charge you to recognize the importance of the stability and unity of the party, which cannot be overemphasized.

“Similarly, I wish to remind you that our choice of flag bearer must be formidable, appealing to the electorate across the board and should command such ability to unify the country and capacity to address our critical challenges.

“Ahead of the Convention, the party machinery has screened and found all aspirants eminently qualified. Recognizing this fact, the Screening Committee has, amongst others, recommended that consensus building through consultation, be intensified.

“Without prejudice to your qualifications, I urge all of you to hold consultations amongst yourselves and with the party, with a view to building a consensus in a manner that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants, bring up a formidable candidate and scale down the anxiety of party members.”

The President assured that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would continue to provide effective leadership during the transition processes and on-going consultations, “until we successfully make the choice on the candidate that will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger. I seek your support in this all important responsibility.”

Earlier, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had promised that all stakeholders of the party would be reached in the consultation process.

Responding on behalf of the aspirants, former Governor of old Abia State and immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, and Vice President, ‘Yemi Osinbajo, thanked the President for his leadership and guidance, pledging that they would hold the consultations as counseled “for the unity and strength of our party, the APC.”

1. Budget – H.E. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State

Co-Chair: Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed

2. Finance and Logistics – H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State

3. Accreditation and Decoration – H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State

4. Security and Compliance – H.E. Rotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State

Co-Chair: Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.), former Minister of Interior

5. Election Planning – H.E. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State

Co-Chair: H.E. Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State

6. Transportation – H.E. (Dr.) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State

Deputy: Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory

7. Accommodation – H.E. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State

Co-Chair: H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State

8. Media and Publicity- H.E. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State

9. Medicals – Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

Co-Chair: Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, former Minister of Health

10. Legal: Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

11. Venue and Site Servicing: H.E. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara State

Co-Chair: Mohammed Musa Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory

12. Election Appeal – H.E. Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State

13. Hospitality and Welfare – H.E. Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State

Co-Chair: Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

14. Protocols –  H.E. Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Katsina State

15. Digital Communications – H.E. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State

16. Pre-Convention/Management/ Rapporteur – H.E. Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State

Deputy: Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs

17. Presidential Screening Appeal – H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello, Governor of Niger State

Co-Chair: Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

18. Accreditation of Diplomats – H.E. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate

Co-Chair: Geoffrey  Onyeama, Minister for Foreign Affairs

SIGNED
Barr. Felix Morka
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)

On January 3 this year, I published an article ( _A note on the Kwara journey_ ) detailing the miles that Kwara has covered under the humble servant of God AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the past three years. It was a chronicle of facts and figures with sources, unassailably pulling down the web of lies and conjectures about the administration. In response, opposition elements wrote at least 10 hagiographies to keep a myth standing. I wrote none in return because, as a social psychologist aptly observed, ‘a man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point’.

The January 3rd piece had been about the outcomes of the several interventions of the administration in health, water, education, and safety nets, among others. A lot has happened since then: for instance, malaria prevalence is now 20% in Kwara, three points below the national average of 23% and seven points better than our ranking in 2019.

But the most enduring feature of the last three years is the inclusive growth Otoge has brought to Kwara — in governance and in politics. In the 2023 ballot, political parties in Kwara will field the highest number of female candidates in its recent history. It is the direct consequences of the efforts of the Governor to encourage inclusion.

It is more pervasive in governance. If you had co-morbidity and came down with a renal disease, the odds in Kwara’s General Hospital were that you would be referred elsewhere for your dialysis. The hospital feared that your dialysis could contaminate the two machines there. Complications arising from delays and stress had led to deaths. That is no longer so. The hospital now has two additional new, ultra-modern machines, thanks to this administration, which enable medics to treat different patients with varying histories without the fear of such contamination anymore. People needed to go elsewhere to fix their failing eyesights because Kwara had no facilities to attend to them. That is no longer so. The new eye centre is now equipped with machines that may be found only in the national eye centre in Kaduna. And so it is in dental care.

In a space of three years, AbdulRazaq has given bookmakers enough initiatives, legislations, projects and impactful programmes to document for history: KwaraLEARN, massive school renewal projects, Education Trust Fund Law; the setting up of Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) to energise small businesses; five-year agricultural transformation plan, preceded by injection of 15 new tractors and two bulldozers, BETA Yield and FADAMA programmes that support thousands of farmers; Kwara State Sustainable Development Plan 2021-2030, the third since Kwara was created; Ilorin (Capital City) Master Plan, the second since 1976, a project meant to decongest and strategically expand Ilorin for sustainable habitation; Nigeria’s trailblazing Kwara State Gender Composition Law which commits 35% of all appointive offices to either of the genders; the Kwara State Investment Promotion Agency Law; the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business and other confidence-building measures such as granting the long-awaited Certificate of Occupancy to the conglomerate BUA and near-zero right of way for telecom firms; and the Kwara State Social Investment Programmes under which at least 104,000 poor people have benefited directly; among others.

AbdulRazaq is progressively exploiting Kwara’s strategic location in Nigeria to commit another ‘Seward’s folly’ — a term coined after one-time US Secretary of State William Seward who had signed the deal that bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 at $7.2m. The media branded the deal a waste until 1869 when major gold deposits were found in Alaska, followed a few years later by a very huge reserve of oil find. In a bid to build an economy around tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and technology, the Governor is building a massive international conference centre with a four-star hotel and a Dolby studio-fitted Visual Arts Centre that will be one of the three of such in West Africa. Both of these facilities will place Kwara on the continental map for good reasons. A few metres away from the visual arts centre stands the imposing innovation hub, itself sitting next to Kwara Hotel, which is being prepped for substantial investments and upgrade. The quartet, straddling government ministries and departments, is certain to turn the Ahmadu Bello Way to a sprawling business district with reverberating effects for economic growth and job creation.

Add those to the newly completed intensive care unit, new eye and dental facilities, the investments in sports facilities like Nigeria’s first eight-winged squash court, fixing of the Olympic-size swimming pool and the indoor sports hall, relaunch of the Kwara United Football Club, and the soon-to-be built cancer centre and the Kwara capital is ready for the world.

He is completing the two campuses of Kwara State University in Osi (Kwara South) and Ilesha Baruba (Kwara North) to open up the state, a vision supported by dozens of ongoing road projects that bring farmlands closer to city centres, as well as other social amenities that reduce rural-urban migration and make life more worth living. There are at least 34 ongoing road projects across the state, including giant ones like the Kishi-Kaiama road, Ilesha-Gwanara Road, Osi-Obbo Road, Ile-Ire District Road, Yebumot-Al-Hikmah-Adeta-Oloje Road, and General Tunde Idiagbon Flyover. Over 100 other roads, including interlocked ones, have been completed, while the Gbugbu International Market is near completion with its great offerings.

Under him, Kwara has secured one of the six AfDB-funded agroprocessing zones in Nigeria valued at $59m. Combined with the multimillion naira garment factory, tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created statewide.  The last three years have seen a spike in business activities in the state, notwithstanding the covid-19 outbreak and its effects on the global economy. Kwara was one of the eight Nigerian states, including FCT, that attracted foreign direct investments in 2021. All of these are due in part to improved political climate which supports businesses, tolerates dissents, improves public service delivery, and discourages undue political interference.

The progress of the last three years speak for itself — in governance and in politics. While the administration does not lay claim to being perfect, as it is wont to admit, it is no doubt proud of its achievements and how far it has taken Kwara in the years since Otoge. The gains are as far-reaching and clear to the fair-minded as the rebranded Kwara Television, and are unique in their delivery to every corner of the state.

• Ajakaye is Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor

The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress New Media Team has described Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a Hallmark of Excellence following his tremendous landmark achievements in the past 3 years.

In a statement released, the team under the office of the party public secretary stated that the speedy recovery of kwara state from the rots of the past administration made AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq an excellent leader

“His Excellency inherited huge debts, crumbling economy, infrastructure deficits and failed system from the past administration but was able to turn things around within the space of 3 years. His management and leadership skills are exceptional”

“The introduction of such as KwaraLearn, KWASIP, Agricultural transformation initiative, innovation hub, virtual Art center, Garment factory among others would improve the economy”

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s investment in youths and implementation of minimum wage for civil servants make him outstanding among his counterparts”

“Construction of roads, bridges, classrooms and hospitals were not left out in his countless projects that has given hope for the poor in the state.

The New Media group also commended the kwara APC executives led by Prince Sunday Fagbemi for the success achieved in the conduct of primary elections into various positions and urged the candidates to work with the media team to ensure victory in the forthcoming general elections.

The team has enjoyed unprecedented success in the past 3 years with the support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Party publicity Secretary Alhaji Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye and S.A New Media to the governor, Olayinka Solace Fafoluyi

#AA3YearsAnniversary

Signed

Kwara APC New Media
29/05/2022

The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC has charged the public to Kindly disregard any announcement of the results of the party primaries conducted circulating on the numerous social media platforms , print and broadcast media or any

other communication channels for now.

The party in a statement on Saturday stated that only the officiating officials for the party primaries from the National Secretariat can authoritatively confirm the results of the primary elections conducted, adding that no amount of resorts to self help by prematurely and falsely announcing the results can change the results, stressing that the official results would be communicated at the appropriate time.

“The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC dissociates itself from the announcement of results on the various media, and we urge party faithfuls and public to disregard it, the party stated.”

Signed
Alhaji Tajudeeen Aro Folaranmi
State Publicity Secretary
Kwara APC
Ilorin.
May 28th 2022.