The All Progressives Congress (APC) statement countering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) false allegation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2023 “self-succession” plan is being twisted and given unintended interpretations in some sections of the media.

Our statement is simple and straightforward. President Buhari has no third term ambition, a position he has personally reiterated.

In adherence with internal democracy, when the time comes to elect the APC 2023 presidential flagbearer and other party candidates, the process will be in full compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the APC Constitution and the approved party guidelines for the nomination of candidates.

For clarity, the APC constitution provides that party candidates in all elections emerge through democratically conducted primary elections or where possible, consensus.

The misleading interpretations given the earlier statement, particularly conspiracies aimed at senior party leaders and their perceived presidential ambitions are unnecessary and misplaced. The APC leadership will not impose any candidates in the leadup to Congresses, National Convention and the 2023 General Elections.

SIGNED:
*Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D*
National Secretary
Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)

Kwara State Government has announced the suspension of the annual Durbar earlier scheduled for Wednesday July 21, 2021 on security grounds.

“The suspension, painful as it is given our people’s attachment to it and government’s investments to promote this colourful cultural heritage, follows a police intelligence report which indicated that some forces plan to use the boisterous nature of the cultural event to instigate a breakdown of law and order in the state, thereby complicating national security challenges,” according to a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications Hajia Rabiat Mopelola Abdulrahman.

“Government reiterates its commitment to protection of lives and property of all residents of the state, as that is its primary obligation.

“We urge all residents of the state to continue to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies.

“The government once again congratulates Kwarans on the Eid-ul-Kabir celebrations and bids everyone many blessed Eid in the coming years.”

Hajia Rabiat Mopelola Abdulrahman
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Communications

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday reiterated his message of peace and tolerance among Nigerians, hours after he led his state to one of the most peaceful and orderly Eid gatherings in recent history.

In a short interview with reporters before paying Eid homage to the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, AbdulRazaq said development occurs only in an atmosphere of peace, mutual tolerance and understanding.

“It is a message of peace. There is no alternative to peace. This is a state of harmony and we should let it remain like that. Our founding fathers worked so hard to entrench peace in the state and we will continue to promote peace and unity in our dear state,” AbdulRazaq told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital.

“It is a new frontier. Security wise, we have seen improvements across the country. We are certain that things will continue to get better.”

AbdulRazaq commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the fight against insecurity in different parts of the country, saying the current efforts have led to glaring improvements and checkmated agents of insecurity in Nigeria.

“We thank the President for deploying all the arsenals he could. We appreciate all institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers and all our people for putting all hands on deck to make sure that we combat the alarming rate of insecurity,” he added.

AbdulRazaq urged Kwarans to use the occasion of sallah to look inward and preach peace and unity, and support one another as brothers.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 20, 2021

• C.O Adebayo, Prof. Saliu, Ashaolu SAN, retd Justice Salihu, others are members

• We’ve to end the crisis now: CoS Prof Gambari

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday inaugurated a high-powered committee of statesmen and diplomats to resolve the longstanding Erin-Ile and Offa crisis in the state, a process he hopes would help to  finally restore harmony between these “great communities of brothers.”

The committee is chaired by iconic former Governor Cornelius Adebayo, and peopled by statesmen, jurist, historians, academics and bureaucrats: retired Justice Saidu Salihu; Alhaji LAK Jimoh; Chief Titus Ashaolu; Senator Simeon Ajibola; Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene; Senator Mohammed Ahmed; Permanent Secretary (Political, Cabinet and Special Services) Barrister Sabitiyu Kikelomo Grillo; and Prof. Hassan Saliu (Secretary).

AbdulRazaq urged the committee to do their all to proffer lasting solutions to the perennial crisis that has claimed lives and destroyed properties for decades.

“For posterity, this Government has decided to swiftly move in another dimension to finding a lasting solution to this crisis,” AbdulRazaq said at at the inauguration of the committee in Government House Ilorin, which was attended by the retired UN special peace envoy and Chief of Staff to the President Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

“I am indeed very grateful to the Almighty for making this day possible for us to witness and with the belief that today’s stride will bring a good turnaround to an age-long issue between Offa and Erin-Ile Communities.”

AbdulRazaq said that the recurrence of the crisis — the last of which occurred in March 2021 — is a major headache to the administration and a drawback for the economic viabilities of the two great communities.

“This is why we have carefully selected few among many that we believe are elderly and have vast knowledge in peace resolution. I therefore want to congratulate the Chairman and members of this Committee for the opportunity to serve the State in this capacity,” he said.

“I am delighted for being able to put together this very powerful committee with men of vast experience. The issue of Erin-Ile and Offa has been with us for decades with so many panels. So, let me make it clear that the government has no interest in supporting any community. You have free hands to go where the law takes you. Please work with the two communities to come up with your report.”

Chief of Staff to the President Professor Ibrahim Gambari commended the Governor for his sense of duty and the historic step to break the ice, and urged the two communities to agree to a peace deal that would further cement the sobriquet of Kwara as the state of harmony that is the bridge between the north and the south.

Gambari said a peace deal between the two communities would be the best gift anyone could give to President Muhammadu Buhari whose eyes the diplomat said would now be on the committee.

“I speak with the authorities of the President Muhammadu Buhari. I briefed him constantly on land dispute between Erin-Ile and Offa and he always stress the imperative of peace and unity. Because without peace, there can be no progress and development. No investor will invest his money in an atmosphere of confusion and chaos. The toughest conflicts are among brothers. Erin-Ile and Offa are brothers. These are communities that are part and percel of Kwara State,” he said.

“Mr President has asked me to impress upon all the stakeholders that the best present that you can give him is to let peace prevail among the two communities and in Kwara State. For me, it is a unique opportunity to be here to personally deliver the message and to really underscore the imperative of peace to our state known as the state of harmony and state of peace. We are the most northern extension of the south and the most southern extension of the north and we live in the middle of the country.

“Kwara is a natural home of peace makers, natural bridge builders. So, how can we be natural peace builders and peace makers and not have peace in our own communities? Charity must begin very much at home.

“I want to really commend His Excellency, our governor, for his tireless efforts in ensuring that peace prevails between the two communities. He briefs me all the time and I in turn brief His Excellency the President. What he has asked me is to stress the enormity of the task this committee has. Because what we want is the permanent solution to the perennial conflict which has taken so many lives and so much resources.

“I commend the chairman and members of the committee for accepting to serve on the committee. The eyes of Nigerians are on you. The eyes of Mr President are on you. I believe by God’s grace success will be yours. Because your success is the success of the two communities and the success of Kwara State.

“I have been privileged to be peace maker on behalf of the United Nations in Myanmar, Iraq, Cyprus and Zimbabwe and my last assignment was in Darfur between many communities. For me, the fundamentals are the same that there cannot be violent or military solutions to conflicts. We have to find what unites us. What unites us is greater than what divides us. We have to identify the spoilers and isolate those with personal interest so that the centre of gravity can prevail.”

C.O Adebayo, former Kwara governor and chairman of the committee, said they will do their best to make the government and the people proud.

“We commend the Governor and appreciate the presence of the Chief of Staff to the President. His presence here confirms the commitment which we very much appreciate,” he said, adding that members of the panel cannot decline such an important state assignment.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 19, 2021

Sequel to the approval by the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the NG-Cares Programme to jumpstart in the State, the Orientation, Validation, Enrolment and Bank Account Opening Exercise for the first batch of 1, 638 vulnerable youths selected across the 16 Local Government Areas have commenced in earnest.

The validation and enrolment exercise, which commenced about two weeks ago has so far been completed in 10 Local Government Councils, under the State Labour Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) Delivery Platform of the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).

The 10 Local Government Areas in which the exercise had already been completed include Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Irepodun, Isin, Oyun and Offa. Others are Moro, Ifelodun, Patigi and Edu.

The choice of the first set of 10 Local Governments especially Kwara South, was informed by their proximity to the State capital while those within Ilorin vicinity were reserved for the last lap of the exercise, being the host local governments.

The enthusiasm of prospective beneficiaries in the 10 Local Government Areas that have so far been covered was very high during the validation and enrolment exercise.

The beneficiaries, on their part, were unequivocal in their expression of gratitude to Governor AbdulRazaq for coming to their aid in this harsh economic period through a non-political, transparent and fair process.

Speaking at the end of the first leg of the Orientation Exercise at Lafiagi, headquarters of Edu Local Government last Saturday, the Technical Head, Kwara LIPW Delivery Platform, Alh. Shamsideen Aregbe expressed delight and satisfaction with the turnout of the prospective beneficiaries and general conduct of the exercise in the 10 Local Governments covered so far.

Aregbe specifically commended Governor AbdulRazaq for providing the necessary Logistic support to enhance the smooth conduct of the exercise in the 16 Local Government Councils.

The Technical Head explained that those who for one reason or another could not be captured in the ongoing validation and enrolment exercise would still have the opportunity to enrol during a mop up exercise to be conducted at a later date to be announced by the Delivery Platform.

He, however, assured that everybody whose names already appeared in the State Social Register (SSR) would be captured, pointing out that only those who have either relocated from their present communities, dead, aged above 50 years or educated above Senior Secondary level would be replaced outrightly following a similar selection process from the SSR.

The validation and enrolment exercise for the second leg in the remaining six Local Government Areas of Asa, Baruten, Kaiama, Ilorin East and Ilorin South is expected to resume on Friday July 23, 2021 after the Sallah Celebrations. The grand finale shall take place at the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat on Friday, July 30, 2021.

Olayinka Jimoh Salau,
Project Officer, Information, Education & Communication (IEC),
Kwara State LIPW Office, Ilorin.

Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, was agog on Sunday with the homecoming of the Chief of Staff to the President Professor Ibrahim Gambari ahead of this year’s Eid-al-Adha celebration.

Gambari, a retired global statesman who was named the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari last year, arrived Ilorin to the warm embrace of dozens of top Kwara State government officials led by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi.

In what is his first homecoming since the high-profile appointment, Gambari touched down at the Ilorin International Airport at exactly 5:27 pm amidst cheers and jubilation from thousands of residents who thronged the area to catch a glimpse of him.

He was received at the airport by the Deputy Governor who stood in for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi; Senators Yahya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central) and Sadiq Umar (North); Secretary to the state government Professor Mamman Saba Jubril; Kwara APC Caretaker Chairman Abdullahi Samari; former Ambassador to Malaysia Nuhu Muhammed; APC party elders and faithfuls; and other prominent individuals.

The convoy headed straight to the palace of Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR) with whom the august visitor had a private audience.

Gambari’s convoy had meandered through a heavy traffic of supporters brandishing varying placards who hailed his excellent working relationship with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the latter increasingly brings governance closer to the grassroots with various developmental projects and people-focused programmes.

“Our administration thanks the chief of staff for his reassuring support for Project Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” one of the placards read. “Your working with the Otoge government is bringing a lot of goodies such as NEPZA Free Trade Zone; Family Homes Funds; Solar Home Systems from REA and NDPHC; CBN Loans for the Solar Home Systems Programmes; Lata (Patigi) Ranching Project.”

Another banner linked the establishment of the 100-bed capacity mother and child hospital in Eiyenkorin, Asa local government to this “harmonious relationship” between Gambari and the state government.

Modupe Joel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
July 18, 2021

An indigenous sociopolitical group, Patigi Political Front, PPF, in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State has admonished in blame, the former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the retrogression caused the area by him over the deplorable condition of their roads in the area.

The Patigi community made the call on Saturday after the visit by the former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the area, on a commiserating visit over the passing of its Emir, the Late Alhaji Sa’adu Kawu Haliru.
The group in its statement chided Senator Saraki for his involvement in the contract for the road, which has for long been abandoned by the contractor.

He noted that the bad road network often limited expected income from their agricultural produce such as rice, cassava and yam, saying their worst nightmares were during the rainy season.

“Senator Bukola Saraki, now that you have been to Patigi and seen the state of the road which you influenced to be awarded by President Buhari at the sum of N8 billion to yourself and your acolytes. We would be expecting you to direct your contractor back to site to do the work or you return your share of the looted contract sum immediately.

“Your crime is unforgivable to us in Kwara North, you did the same scam on the Kishi to Kaiama road we are counting and would continue to voice out atrocities about how we got to this sorry situation during your reign, ” the statement read.

Signed

Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed
President, Patigi Political Front.

May I commence by commending the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari for steering the Ship of our Statehood on course during very trying times.

The grit of a leader becomes established when a nation faces difficult times and our dear President has shown unparalleled leadership in the face of global economic downturn, low revenues and artificial insecurity. He deserves our utmost support as he continues in building infrastructures despite the circumstances. Just yesterday, he carried out the groundbreaking for the Kano-Kaduna rail project. The inclusion of many Nigerians in the social safety net is also worthy of our commendation.

May God bless and sustain him for Nigeria.

May I also extend the best wishes of the National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party, Hon. Mai Mala Buni. This party is so blessed to have a man like him at the helm of its affairs at this time.

At a time when some of the leaders of other parties are telling us that their own National Chairman is a liar, we in APC are blessed to have a very focused leadership, calm and collected, who is honest and is achieving tremendous results, day by day.

Within a short period of time, under his leadership, the party has recorded fundamental achievements which persons may have thought impossible.

– The membership registration has been a huge success.

– We have won off-cycle elections in 99% of the states/Constituencies that came up.

– The Constitution review exercise of our party is done and dusted.

– Peace has returned to the party, and this has enhanced the growth of the party.

– The party has grown from strength to strength, this is evident by the coming of 3 governors into our party, former governors and former speakers of the house of representatives, Serving and non-Serving Senators,etc. And more are coming.

DOES THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN NOT DESERVE A STANDING OVATION?

As you are aware, the Congresses of our party will commence soon, it became pertinent that we brief you as a First-Line-Charge, on the details of the exercise and what is expected of you.

On behalf of the CECPC, may I thank you for the work you’re doing in your states, especially with the membership registration and Peace-building.

Although, there are some of the states that we’ve received complaints over the handling of the registration exercise, we shall not generalise it and we’ll see how to prevent it from happening in this context.
This very exercise is so important for the progress of this party and we must get it right.

A lot depends on you seated here.

– No hoarding of forms shall be tolerated.

– The party urges all stakeholders to encourage consensus arrangements because this is a family affair. It is also a constitutional provision in our party.

– The Local organizing Committees and selection of ad hoc officials should be done in consultation with all the stakeholders in each state.

– For other details and other matters, the guidelines will be published after this meeting.

Thank you for coming.

*NOTE*: Chairman, Forum of APC State Caretaker Chairman and Caretaker Chairman in Borno State, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori in remarks on behalf of the State Caretaker Chairmen expressed satisfaction of the Forum with the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC.

Dalori particularly commended the successful implementation of the CECPC’s mandate to bring peace, reconciliation and reposition the APC.

He hailed the successful membership registration registration, revalidation and register update excercise which has seen the APC swell its membership to over 40 million. Dalori praised the Governor Buni-led CECPC for bringing into the APC three serving governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

I call on Kwara Youths, my compatriots, to embrace the acquisition of skills to build a prosperous and successful future for themselves.

Our Government is proud to say it has keyed into the Global Skill acquisition drive for youths through partnerships with several organisations to skill up Kwara youths in the area of web development, digital marketing (Digital Kwara) and other soft skills to boost capacity.

We look forward to partnering with relevant stakeholders to further help our youths get access to education, mentorship and information that will help them skill up.

Signed:
Kaosarah Adeyi
SSA Youth Engagement to Kwara State Governor