The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended eleven party members of the party believed to be loyalists of the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities.

The suspension letter was signed by the National Secretary, Caretaker/Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Sen. James Akpanudoedehe, and addressed to Kwara state chairman Hon. Abdullahi Samari Abubakar.

Those affected are Joseph Tsado, Bamidele Ogunbayo, Issa Fulani, Imam Abdulkadir, Morufu Olaniyi Yusuf, Saludeen Lukman, Kerebu Fatai, Bola Ajani, Nurudeen Fasasi, Salman Shehu Babatunde and Abdullateef Ahmed Kolawole.

They were handed the punitive measure for dragging the Kwara state chairman Hon. Abdullahi Samari Abubakar to court.

The Minister’s group had opposed the removal Bashir Bolarinwa as the caretaker chairman of the party in Kwara state, leading to the protracted crisis which has broken the party into two factions and pitted Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq against the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a struggle for the control of the party.

The eleven party men had however approached the court to demand the removal of the approved State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Samari contrary to the directive of National Executive Committee (NEC) of 25th June 2020, where it was resolved that no member of the party should institute any action in court.

The letter read in parts; “The Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee considered the decision of the Kwara State Caretaker Committee dated 5 February 2021 on the resolution of the Kwara State Disciplinary Committee to suspend erring members who Instituted SUIT NO: CV/241/2021 BETWEEN JOSEPH TSADO AND 10 ORS VS ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 2 ORS against the party.

“After due consideration of the decision, the members of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee found the decision meritorious on the grounds that the members who instituted the above-mentioned suit against the Party had flouted the directive of the National Executive Committes (NEC) of 25th June 2020, wherein the NEC resolved that no member of the Party should institute any action in court and to withdraw all pending cases in Court in order to explore the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the party.

“Consequently, the Caretaker/Extraordinary. National Convention Planning Committee ratifies the decision of the Kwara State Caretaker Committee and upholds suspension of the following Party members:

“Take notice; that this suspension constitutes a bar on the above-named persons from participating in the ongoing registration and revalidation of membership exercise.”

The APC national secretariat approval followed a notice of disciplinary action letter signed by the state Caretaker Committee Chairman, Samari Abubakar and Mohammed Mustapha Salman Secretary of the Caretaker Committee.

“We write to inform you that our State Caretaker Committee in Kwara State constituted a Disciplinary Committee to hear and determine the complaint against Plaintiffs in SUIT NO: CV/241/2021 BETWEEN JOSEPH TSADO AND 10 ORS VS ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 2 ORS.

“The Plaintiffs instituted the above-mentioned suit against the Party and flouted the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) wherein all members were directed not to institute any action and withdraw their cases in Court in order to explore the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the Party.

“The Kwara State Caretaker Committee has received and adopted the report of the disciplinary Committee in respect of Joseph Tsado & 10 Ors. This is pursuant to Article 21 (B) (i) & (iii) of our Party’s Constitution (October 2014 as amended).”

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday congratulated the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its successful and peaceful election/transition, describing the outcome “as a victory for every member of the pen profession who should now come together, as before, to join the government to set agenda for improved socioeconomic development of the state.”

“The government congratulates the new chairman Mr. Ahmed Abdullateef of the Herald newspapers on his victory. We also congratulate other members of the newly elected council. The electrifying issues-based campaign recently seen shows that our country is truly evolving. It is now incumbent on everyone, especially all the contestants, to leave the usual pre-election misgivings behind and work together as equal stakeholders in the business of evolving a stronger and more united council in the state,” the Governor said in a statement by Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye.

“The government reassures the new council of its full support as the fourth estate of the realm. The administration also thanks the outgone council for its support and understanding. The new council has a mandate, as always, to strengthen media professionalism, discourage sensationalism and war journalism, and embrace development or solution-driven journalism. While the administration commends the NUJ in the state for its principled association with the government in its developmental drive, we appeal for joint efforts with relevant state agencies to fight fake news, ethnic profiling, misinformation, and a growing culture of alternative facts which now threaten our world.

“The administration wishes the newly elected leadership of the Kwara State NUJ Council a successful tenure, and once again congratulates the entire council for what was clearly a peaceful and orderly election and transition which affirm Kwara as the state of harmony.”

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 10, 2021

The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has observed with keen but alarming concern, the activities of some individuals in the last few days.

The State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Samari Abubakar in a statement issued by the party said the manner in which political actors within the party issue provocative sta-
tements – verbal and written – call for caution.

Samari cautions members on activities that would have negative effect on the peace building effort ongoing in the party, charging members to enhance the peace initiative through discipline and harmonious relationship.

He urged members to resist any temptation to be dragged into any contest of political rhetorics that would warrant the use of provocative and bitter statements.

On this premise, we call on all our A.P.C. Members under the cons titutional leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, to remain steadfast with their unalloyed loyalty to the leader of APC in Kwara state in order to be further strengthen his Administration.

” Our members should continue to conduct themselves peacefully wherever they find themselves.

” We should continue to be security conscious at this trying period and hasten to report any negative tendency noticed, to the appropriate quarters on time.

” We wish you Happy Sallah in advance and urge you to continue to give your support and prayers to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq as well as the National Leadership of our great party, especially, as the Party continues to gain more converts continually,” the statement said.

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi
State Publicity Secretary
Kwara APC, Caretaker Committee
Ilorin.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated the new executive committee of the Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), describing the body as a key partner in the administration’s efforts to drive sustainable economic growth.

“We welcome the new leadership of KWACCIMA under its president Alhaji Olalekan Fatai Ayodimeji and call on the new executive committee to remain a vanguard in the promotion of sound business ethics and delivery of qualitative services,” a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye quoted the Governor as saying.

“The administration is passionate about promoting and supporting entrepreneurship, private investments, technology and innovations. This is borne out of our belief that that is the path to sustainable growth. Similarly, we are aware of existing challenges — at institutional levels or in the area of infrastructure. So we are working hard with key partners like KWACCIMA to improve the business climate in Kwara State. We commend KWACCIMA for being a reliable partner every step of the way, including serving on our Ease of Doing Business Council. We commend the outgone KWACCIMA executives for their collaboration with the administration while looking forward to a more robust relationship with the new leadership.

“We believe that the organised private sector has important roles to play in enhancing socioeconomic growth of our state. The government will therefore not relent in creating enabling environment for private businesses to thrive.

“The government wishes the new leadership of KWACCIMA a successful tenure and calls on every member of the business community to give them maximum support to succeed. Finally, the administration commends members of KWACCIMA for the smooth transition and calls for a stronger collaboration that would attract more investments and boost the state’s economy.”

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 12, 2021

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday flagged off the presentation of cheques to 463 beneficiaries of home renovation loan scheme of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

“This home renovation loan scheme is basically an initiative of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria that many of you have enrolled in. You have played your own role by enrolling in the scheme. That is you trusting the system to work for you. That is you playing your own role as patriotic citizens and as workers. For you to benefit from this loan however, your state government must stand as your guarantor. And we gladly did because we trust that you have also worked to earn our trust,” AbdulRazaq said at the event attended by civil servants from across ministries, departments, and agencies in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Governor Mr Kayode Alabi, the Governor promised to mobilise available resources and grab every opportunity to improve the wellbeing of the civil servants as well as the ordinary citizens.

“Without workers, nothing meaningful gets done. For this reason, we will always mobilise available resources and grab every opportunity to improve the wellbeing of the civil servants as well as the ordinary citizens. This event is another testimony of the resolve of this administration to grab every opportunity to make our workers happy,” he added.

“We are ensuring that workers across all cadres enjoy their promotion and the pay rise that comes with it. We have also approved training and retraining for workers, while offering support to those of you pursuing further degrees at home or abroad. We have also ensured decent work environment with relevant tools through completion of secretariat, purchase of new vehicles, and modern computers and accessories. We continue to support workers with health issues. We have also ensured that workers are paid as and when due as a matter of right.

“We are also considering other supportive measures to ease the effects of inflation on what you earn. For example, we are building a public school system that offers our children a standard that will be the envy of other states and a pride of our people. The recent recruitment of qualified and competent teachers is a bold beginning. We are following it up with school remodelling and reconstruction across the state.”

AbdulRazaq appealed to civil servants to continue to trust the government and work with the administration to build a sustainable future for all of Kwara people.

For her part, State Head of Service Modupe Oluwole said the present administration is doing everything possible to tap all available opportunities and resources from both governmental and non-governmental organisations for the benefit of the people.

“The scheme was designed especially for contributors to the National Housing Fund to benefit from their contributions on lower interest rates. Through the committed efforts of government, the Federal Mortgage Bank, not only approved the loan for all interested civil servants, who indicated their interests, but also made cheques for them,” according to her.

“I want to advise the beneficiaries of the first phase and those to benefit in subsequent batches to make use of the loan for the purpose for which it is meant for. A comfortable home for a civil servant, is no doubt a sine-qua-non for comfortable living which ultimately would lead to high productivity of such civil servant.”

Managing Director Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, who was represented by the Deputy General Manager Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Ibrahim Nafada, explained that the loan window affords Nigerians who are contributors to the National Housing Fund an opportunity to access mortgage loans to renovate or improve existing properties which are personally owned by them or through family ownership.

“Permit me to applaud the commitment and cooperation of the Executive Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe in executing these documents promptly which has enabled the Kwara State civil servants to benefit from FMBN home renovation loan to the tune of N1,025,283,000 disbursed to 1,575 beneficiaries. Today, we are disbursing the sum of N303,750,000 to 463 beneficiaries,” he added.

Dangiwa also announced that the bank had approved a sum of N401,145,000 for 708 member of staff of Kwara State Universal Basic Education which will be credited to individual beneficiaries’ accounts after execution of all other conditions precedence to disbursement.

Modupe Joel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
July 12, 2021

Kwara is establishing an education trust fund to mobilise resources for school infrastructure, provide affordable and qualitative education, and boost human capital development in the state, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the inauguration of a multimillion naira information communication technology (ICT) centre and a central administrative block donated to the Ansaru-ud-Deen College Ijagbo by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), AbdulRazaq said the administration seeks sustainable partnership with private sector, philanthropists and corporations to fund school infrastructure, manpower development and build a brighter future for the Kwara child.

“Our administration recognises the limitations of government to shoulder the burden of infrastructural development in all local government areas of the state. That is why we have sent Kwara State Education Trust Fund Bill to the House of Assembly. When passed into law, it will ensure contributions into schools,” AbdulRazaq said.

“The law will empower the state government to partner with philanthropists, foundations and corporate bodies to raise money and help support strengthening educational infrastructure in the state.”

The Governor commended Fagbemi SAN for the well-equipped edifice, saying the gesture represents a major boost for human capital development in Kwara State.

“Let me commend Lateef Fagbemi’s effort in this community. This is a huge development. What else can you give to your community better than solid education? We are very grateful for this. You are not just the pride of the community, you’re an ambassador of the state. We appreciate your efforts,” AbdulRazaq said.

“With this, you are laying a good foundation for our children. This is a major boost to our administration’s efforts to develop basic education. We appreciate it. We have also started our school projects because since 2013 there was no major investment in basic education. We are perplexed about how the former administration neglected education. The state was blacklisted by UBEC. So, if every community goes into this kind of (self-help) project, the sky is the limit for Kwara. We are definitely scaling up to take back our position in the north.”

AbdulRazaq urged other well-heeled individuals in Kwara to emulate Lateef Fagbemi SAN and improve infrastructure in their communities for socio-economic development.

Fagbemi said the projects were conceived as part of his social responsibility and a payback to the College, adding that the government alone cannot satisfy every demand for basic amenities from different communities.

He commended AbdulRazaq for prioritising infrastructural growth and human capital development across the nooks and crannies of Kwara, including in Ijagbo town, urging the administration to consider tarring the road leading to the school and the six-kilometer road linking Aperun, Adeleke and Ayeni communities within Ijagbo Ward of Oyun local government.

Fagbemi paid tributes to various eminent Kwarans, late and alive, who contributed to the development of education sector in the state.

“It is on record that Kwara state is never short of well-meaning and philanthropic donors, who were/are passionate about the educational sector and development of same. I have the honour to state that among such people, one who has been a source of inspiration to me is the late father of your Excellency, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho AbdulRazaq, SAN. May Allah be pleased with his soul,” Fagbemi said.

The TIC Chairman of Oyun local government Dr. Waheed Ibrahim said the massive project falls in line with the people-oriented goals and policies of Governor AbdulRazaq, whose leadership he said has benefitted Ijagbo in many ways.

Ibrahim said some of the projects of the administration in Oyun local government to include construction of town hall road, Alwali Kazir Road and station road in Erin-Ile; renovation of schools in Ikotun and Ojoku; renovation of health centres in different towns of the council; ongoing SUBEB projects at nine different locations in the council; different social intervention programmes; recruitment of new teachers; and the recent engagement of about 100 youth drawn from different wards of local government area under the labour intensive public workfare.

President of the Ijagbo Descendants Union Chief Tunde Oyawoye commended AbdulRazaq for embarking on various developmental projects, affirming that his purposeful leadership is rapidly transforming the state, particularly the rural areas.

“Your presence here today is an affirmation and commitment to the development and welfare of the people at large,” he added.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 14, 2021

Following the recommendation of the Membership Registration Appeals Committee, the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the continuation of the Party’s membership registration, revalidation and register update excercise in Imo, Kwara, Ogun and Rivers states.

With this approval, the membership registration, revalidation and register update excercise in the four states will continue for two weeks.

Those who have not been registered in these States can purchase forms for congresses, party office elections and convention. For congresses in Rivers State, all those who have purchased forms in the past will be allowed to participate in the congresses on the presentation of the bank teller as proof of payment.

Registration materials have been adequately deployed to the listed states and any attempt to deprive intending registrants will be dealt with accordingly in line with the provisions of the APC constitution and guidelines for the exercise. All Nigerians who are desirous of joining the the progressive fold are welcome to take advantage of this window and register as members of the APC.

The APC once again expresses our appreciation to millions of Nigerians who had earlier trooped to the registration, revalidation and register update centres accross the country and call on those wishing to participate in the current exercise to do so in an orderly manner and inline with COVID-19 public health protocols.

SIGNED:
*Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, Ph.D.*
National Secretary,
Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
July 6, 2021

The Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has stated that congresses will hold in all the North Central states.

Bello stated this after a meeting with APC Caretaker Chairmen in the north central states and FCT at Niger state governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

This development is coming against the backdrop of the claims by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed that no Congress will hold in Kwara State.

Bello, while aknowledging the setback in Kwara state, restated the resolve to hold congresses in all North Central states simultaneously.

The meeting focused on Upcoming Congresses, comprehensive details on the exercises, imperative for democratic conduct and position on practical methodology for a hitch-free, all-inclusive processes throughout the North-Central.

It also focussed on consolidation of the stability, commanding position and massive support base of the APC in the North-Central.

The meeting which was held at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, with the main aim of ensuring that Congresses would be conducted in the best democratic way throughout the North-Central states.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has welcomed a former governorship candidate of the Alternative Party of Nigeria (APN) Amb. Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, saying the party’s impactful achievements in the last two years have continued to attract new members and bolster public confidence in the administration.

“I am elated at the news that our party has just received the former governorship candidate and thousands of his supporters to APC in Edu. It is indeed a cheery news and a tonic for us to continue to serve the people and spread development to every part of Kwara State. Our focus is to commit public funds to serve only the interest of the public in line with the spirit of Otoge. I am encouraged by the unceasing testimonials from ordinary people and patriotic stakeholders that we have indeed changed the stories of our state for good across every sector: education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, youths and women empowerment and inclusion, road infrastructure, water, among others,” the Governor said in a statement welcoming the new entrants into the APC fold in Kwara State.

“We are also proud of the fact that, for the first time in decades, the execution of government programmes and projects is blind to political affiliation while our loyalty is 100% to the people of Kwara State. We will not be distracted from this path of honour.

“I congratulate the leadership of our party in Edu local government and across the state on our successes which have continued to attract new members. I also commend our team, including appointees, party stalwarts and civil servants, for the laudable execution of our programmes and the support we enjoy with the people. While there is no doubt about the long journey ahead in meeting various sustainable development goals 2030, we are super proud of our glaringly impactful achievements within the limits of our resources and realities. This has been made possible by the focus, prudence and sacrifices of our team.”
Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 3, 2021