Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated the Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero on his official coronation, describing the monarch as a bridge-builder and beseeching God to grant him long and peaceful reign on the throne.

“His Royal Highness has strong roots and firm network across the length and breadth of Nigeria, and this has reflected in his carriage and relationships since his assumption of the royal stool a year ago. His recent visit to Ilorin, the birthplace of his mother, served to strengthen the familial ties of love, unity, and commerce that dated centuries between the peoples of Kano and Kwara State. The prevailing peace and tranquillity in Kano since his assumption of office are a pointer to the qualities of His Royal Highness,” according to a statement by the Governor.

“On behalf of the people and government of our state, I convey our best wishes to His Royal Highness, the people and government of Kano State on this historic event. We also pray the Almighty Allah to grant him long, peaceful, and successful reign on the throne of his forefathers.”
 
Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
July 3, 2021

The national headquarters of the APC did not give then governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq N1bn to run his campaign, former APC vice chairman for north central Suleiman Wambai clarified on Wednesday.

Speaking on the recent controversy around campaign funds in Kwara State during the 2019 ballot, Wambai said the funds the party sent to Kwara and other states was for election logistics such as payment for polling agents, supervisors, and canvassers.

“And that particular money came with a specific template of distribution and various stakeholders, including national officers, were involved in its disbursement. The candidate, like his colleagues in other states, took delivery of the said funds but that was all. Its disbursement followed a template that the party had earlier approved. As the chairman of the party in the north central I was to be there, but I couldn’t possibly be in all the North Central states at the same time. In any case, we had a national officer of the party, the National Publicity Secretary who is from Kwara State. We did not have any complaints from Kwara or any other state that the said fund was mismanaged. It was used for the purpose it was meant for,” Wambai told reporters in Abuja.

He said the allegation by the former state chairman of the party Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa that the Governor did not disclose the fund sent to him was “definitely false because the disbursement was transparently done, otherwise, where did the money paid to our party agents, supervisors, canvassers came from? The reports from Kwara and elsewhere showed that all the polling agents and others that were meant to be paid were duly paid as designed.”

Wambai clarified that Kwara did not get up to one billion naira and whatever that came was disbursed in accordance with the template from the national headquarters of the party.

“This matter can only generate controversy out of ignorance. If they were aware of the restrictions the electoral laws impose on campaign fund donations, they wouldn’t be saying that,” he added.

“All (governorship) candidates were made the leaders in their respective state to coordinate and lead the campaigns. They ran their own campaign mostly with their own funds. The money we sent was to cover logistics for elections and as I said, the template for its disbursement came directly from the headquarters of the party and that was what everyone followed. Any claim to the contrary is false,” he added.

Wambai said it was wrong to misinterpret his comments (earlier published on an online news platform) about the funds sent to the states to mean that money was given to a particular governorship candidate for campaign.

“It was for logistics and the fund was used judiciously as directed by the party. People should disregard the false information being bandied around. Specifically, the statement credited to the former APC chairman in Kwara State Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa that the then candidate received N1bn for campaign is false. As the leader of the party in north central, I can say there was nothing like that,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the review of the timelines available to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

The President granted the approval after detailed consideration of the Progress Report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to Congresses, the National Convention and the forthcoming Ananmbra Governorship election.

The President also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses. Ward Congresses will hold 24th July, 2021 followed by Local Government Congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State Congresses on 18th September, 2021.The CECPC National Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni on Friday presented a summary of the Committees progress report to the President at the State House, Abuja.

It could be recalled that at its last meeting the National Executive Committee (NEC) conferred on the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) the power of the National Convention which is in line with powers provided in Article 13.3 of the Party’s Constitution.

The National Chairman had the president’s approval to review the timeline available to the CECPC.

The Chairman was accompanied by other CECPC members, including H.E. Governor Isiaka Oyetola, H.E. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf, Hon. Akinyemi Olaide, Mrs. Stella Oketete, Dr. James Lulu, Chief David Lyon, Abba Ali, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Barr. Ismail Ahmed and the CECPC National Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe.

By the approved CECPC decision, the tenure of the caretaker committees at each level from Ward, Local Government, State and National will end immediately elections are held at their respective levels and its officers immediately take oath of office terminating with the National Convention.

At the meeting, the CECPC National Chairman expressed the profound gratitude of members of the Committee to the President and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the trust, confidence and the opportunity given to them to serve the party.

Governor Mai Mala Buni informed the President that the CECPC has during the period under review led the party to contest in several elections and by-elections with overall success rate of 95 per cent.

On the peace and reconciliation efforts, the CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the committee commenced its assignment on a a desire to foster genuine reconciliation on solid foundation, by giving all issues and every aggrieved member fair hearing and objectively placing party interests above individual interests.

Buoyed by the CECPC transparent and objective approach to the problems that bedeviled the party and the renewed confidence and trust in the Party, aggrieved individuals and groups who either left or sued the party in various courts, willingly accepted reconciliation and withdrew all litigations against the party.
Your Excellency, with your excellent leadership roles for the party, we are witnessing high-powered defections including serving governors from the PDP to our great party. It is also interesting that the fortune of the party in the last year has greatly improved across the country, and especially in the South-East, which has been the stronghold of the opposition.”

” I am pleased to state that the party is now more peaceful, more accommodating, and more united with greater prospects than when we came on board, he said.

The CECPC National Chairman reported to the President while presenting the Progress Report.

On the hugely successful and record setting membership registration, revalidation and register update exercise, the CECPC National Chairman told the President that as part of measures to reposition the party, the Committee found it expedient to establish the numerical strength of the party as provided by the party constitution and help strengthen the partys planning processes for congresses, conventions and general elections.

It is with a sense of satisfaction that I submit to Your Excellency that the exercise was successfully executed with a record of over 40 million members who either registered as new members or revalidated their membership with the party, the CECPC National Chairman stated.

The CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the Committee has setup a Registration Appeal Committee to hear matters arising from the exercise to ensure that no member is left out.
The CECPC National Chairman informed the President of newly set up committees to reposition the party including a Sensitization and Mobilisation Committee on Youth, Women and People Living With Disabilities which contributed tremendously to the success recorded in the nationwide membership registration, revalidation and update exercise.

He also disclosed that a Contact and Strategy Committee was constituted with a clear mandate to meet with all party stakeholders in every state to come up with a generally acceptable and people-based template for the smooth conduct of the Congresses and Convention.

On the Constitution Amendment/Review Committee constituted to look into ambiguities and loopholes to check unnecessary litigations and promote internal democracy, the CECPC National Chairman told the President that the Committee has concluded its assignment after conducting public hearings in all the six geo-political zones with 500 memoranda received from party members. He stated that plans are being made to submit the new constitution to the President before presentation to the convention for ratification.

To cement the new cohesion in the party, the National Chairman reported to the President that the CECPC administration convened the first ever Conference for Youth.

On the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election, the CECPC National Chairman notified the President that 14 aspirants indicated interest to contest the election through purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, all of whom had been cleared by the Screening Committee as eligible to contest.

A Primary Election Committee has also been constituted to conduct the primary election on 26th June 2021. As a measure to provide a backup to the primary election committee, a ‘Reinforcement Committee has been constituted to ensure that the election is conducted freely, fairly, and transparently. The CECPC National Chairman stated.

Among other achievements in the CECPCs administration of the party, the National Chairman informed the President that the CECPC inherited liability of unpaid legal fees to the tune of N340million, but successfully negotiated and brought down the fees to N179 million which is now fully paid. Also, with respect to court cases bordering on CECPCs legitimacy and election-related matters, the National Chairman informed the President that the party secured a judgment affirming the legality of the CECPC.
Buhari House
Also, the National Chairman informed the President that the CECPC has concluded payment of the outstanding balance and has taken over the ownership of the building housing the APC National Secretariat
.
“I also have the honour to inform you that in recognition of the untiring leadership role you have provided to our great party and the nation, and the democratic legacy you have put in place, the CECPC has approved to name the National Secretariat of the Party after you. The secretariat will henceforth be known as ‘BUHARI HOUSE,” Governor Buni disclosed.

The CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the Committee had been very cautious and meticulous in making arrangements to conduct credible, transparent, flawless and generally acceptable Congresses and Convention for the Party to produce a strong leadership that will enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all members.

At all times, we have enjoyed the confidence of Mr. President and enjoyed your leadership. In developing the timetable for the congresses and convention, the support to conduct a credible election cannot be overemphasized; this will also justify the successes recorded and the status of the new APC that we have all dreamt of. Your Excellency sir, once again, we appreciate the honour and confidence you and the NEC members have reposed in us and our ability to execute this very important assignment. The CECPC National stated.

SIGNED:
Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D.
National Secretary
Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
25th June, 2021

Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the national headquarters of the party to extend registration exercise for thousands of new entrants into the party, saying such a step would afford them the opportunity to pursue their legitimate aspirations.

“You would recall that thousands of people from the opposition PDP, Labour Party, ACPN and others have recently joined our party in the state. We appeal that the registration exercise be extended by at least one week for them to be formally registered as party members. This will also enable those who could not register or revalidate their membership status before for whatever reasons to do so,” Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, APC caretaker committee chairman, said on Sunday.

“Our party, the APC, is gaining new entrants every day. This is because of the people-focused programmes of the government and the fact that the Governor has been a friend of the masses who reaches out to everyone in the larger interest of the state. We therefore urge the national secretariat of our party to extend the registration and of course revalidation exercise by one week.”

The statement said the appeal is in line with requests from new entrants into the Kwara APC, especially those from PDP, Labour Party and ACPN, who sought extension of the exercise to enable them register as bonafide stakeholders in the ruling party.

The statement meanwhile has urged party members in the state to await further information on the upcoming ward and state congresses.

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

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State has debunked the false information on the forthcoming Congresses in the state, maintaining that the party congresses would hold in kwara state together with other states as scheduled, starting from next month.

The Kwara APC has described the rumour that kwara and three other states would not be having congresses untill the issue of membership registration is settled, as unfounded and mere sophistry.

The Caretaker Chairman of the APC in Kwara state, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari in a statement issued by the party said he has called the national secretariat to confirm the authenticity of the story and was told it was false and unfounded.

” The national secretariat has published guidelines for the ward, local and congresses and we charge all interested party members in Kwara state to be prepared for the forthcoming congresses and be guided accordingly,” the statement said.

Signed
Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi
State Publicity Secretary
Kwara APC, Caretaker Committee
Ilorin.
June 17th, 2023.

Thousands of defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and other parties on Saturday formally pledged their allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq saying the development attests to the rising popularity of the party owing to the people-focused programmes and policies of his administration.

“Evidently, President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors, lawmakers and all officials elected on the platform of APC are clearly living up to the dreams of the founding fathers of our country. The economy is growing stronger amid unprecedented infrastructural development while increasing attention is being paid to security of lives and properties,” the Governor observed, amid cheers from the defectors, top APC chieftains, and government functionaries who included Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, Speaker Danladi Yakubu-Salihu, Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Saba Jubril.

“Back home in Kwara State, we have remained committed to good governance. We are indeed proud of the impacts that our investments in human capital and infrastructural development are having on the people. Our social security programmes targeting the poor and vulnerable are glaring. Security of lives and properties remains a top priority while we are putting Kwara on a sound footing to lead the North once again.

“We have also prioritised youths and women empowerment and inclusion, widening employment opportunities and paying attention to all that can guarantee brightest future for our younger generation.

“This mass defection to APC today under our leadership is a tonic for all of us in trusted positions to continue to give our best for the collective good of our people. I urge you all to work together as a team and members of the same APC family in Kwara State.”

He said the party is made stronger with its policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all members, old or new, adding that no fewer than 400,000 new (APC) members have so far been registered in the state.

Former presidential candidate of the ACPN Gani Galadima, who spoke on behalf of the defectors from the central senatorial district, said his defection was hinged on the deliberate efforts of the Governor to reposition Kwara through massive infrastructural renewal, his care for the people, and his hands-on approach to governance, culminating in visible impacts on the populace.

“We are joining the party because we are convinced with the response of the governor to the issue of leadership. For the first time in Kwara State, we have a 24hr governor who works day and night,” he said.

“We have also seen infrastructural development in roads, education and women empowerment as well as rural integration.”

Comrade Issa Aremu, former governorship candidate of Labour Party and Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies, commended AbdulRazaq for his investment in education sector.

“I am pleased to identify with my governor for wonderful things he is doing in Kwara State. I am proud of your achievements. I went to my school, Ilorin Grammar School, and I saw wonderful job you have done there,” he added.

The chairman caretaker committee of the APC Abdullahi Samari said the party is pleased to receive people who cherished the developmental strides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and joined the party from ward level across the state.

“When you go back to your respective communities, I urge you to work together. Accept all members. APC has no faction in Kwara. Elders and leaders of the party should go back home, embrace peace, and ensure that everyone works together for the success of the party across the state,” he added.

Speakers from the three senatorial districts took turns to highlight the various strides of the AbdulRazaq-led administration, commending him for his special attention to the poor and the vulnerable.

Defectors included all the immediate past council chairmen, including former ALGON chief Joshua Adekanye, Hon. Fatai Adeniyi Garba (Labaka), and Hon. Yinka Dallas, who hailed the Governor for his democratic dispositions and his commitment to developments with direct impacts on the people especially at the grassroots.

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

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated Senator Oyelola Ashiru on his 66th birthday anniversary, calling him “a great democrat, an accomplished technocrat, and a fine parliamentarian who is committed to the service of his community and fatherland”.

In a congratulatory message for the senator representing Kwara South, the Governor called him a team player and a statesman who has used his expertise and experience as an A-list architect to promote Kwara for decades. He is one of the state’s success stories in the private sector.

“On behalf of the people and government of Kwara State, I join family, friends and associates of the distinguished senator to celebrate him as he added another year. He stands out for his long-standing passion to serve the public. Apart from his outstanding legislative performance, which is the primary function of a lawmaker, Senator Ashiru has also made significant interventions in human and infrastructural development, which serve to complement our efforts as an administration back home. We thank him for that, and for his commitments to the Otoge ideals,” the statement said.

“I pray Almighty Allah to preserve Architect Ashiru on the path of good, and grant him more strength, good health, and required wisdom in his continued efforts to serve humanity.”

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

The curfew in Ilorin metropolis is hereby lifted. This is effective from tomorrow, November 12.

Kwarans may however see increased joint patrols by security agencies within the metropolis and across the state. It is to strengthen the gains of the past weeks and keep criminal elements at bay.

Citizens are to go about their lawful business without any fear. The government sincerely commends citizens and all critical stakeholders, especially the security agencies, for their support for the measures taken to strengthen security in the wake of some recent developments.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
November 11, 2020

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRahman on Wednesday sent to the House of Assembly a list of six additional commissioner-nominees, comprising top-notch professionals and administrators with rich political backgrounds.

This comes a few weeks after AbdulRazaq unveiled a list of four women commissioner-nominees, including the 26-year-old Joanna Kolo.

The new nominees are Barrister Salman Jawondo (Asa); Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi (Baruten); Dr. Raji Razaq (Ekiti); Architect Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen (Kaiama); Wahab Agbaje (Whyte, Offa); and Murtala Olarewaju (Oyun).

With 29 years of post-qualification experience as a lawyer, Jawondo is almost synonymous with the longstanding struggle to change the political status quo in Kwara with his numerous court cases and advocacy to challenge what he considered the anti-people decisions of the previous administrations.

Barrister Jawondo is an alumnus of the University of Lagos where he read Law between 1986 and 1989. He was at the Nigerian Law School between 1989 and 1990. A disciplinarian and no-nonsense lawyer, he is a member of the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee in the North Central Zone and was Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, between 2009 and 2011. He is the founder of the Jawondo &Co., Legal Practitioners. He is from Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

A former chairman of Baruten Local Government and a grassroots politician, Aliyu Kora Sabi has a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Guidance and Counselling), PostGraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Masters degree in Public Administration from Universities of Ado Ekiti and Ilorin, among others. He taught in various schools and served as a senior administrative officer in his Baruten local government for nearly two decades.

Sabi, who was born in 1970, is from Yashikira town of Baruten Local Government area of the state.

Born in 1979, Raji Razaq is the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Health Centre Agwara, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

A polyglot, Dr Razaq attended the University of Ilorin for his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery between 2000 and 2006; the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, for his Master in Public Health between 2015 and 2017. He was the NYSC Chief Medical Director, Kebbi State Camp Clinic in 2007 and an aspirant for the House of Representatives in Ekiti/Oke Ero/Irepodun/and Isin Federal Constituency.

He hails from Osi in Ekiti Local Government area of the state.

Architect Saifudeen hails from Kaiama Local Government area of Kwara State. He holds a Bacherlor’s degree in Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture — both from the University of Jos between 1993 and 1999.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

Saifudeen has worked with various local and multinational firms in his area of expertise, including French-owned Bouygues Nigeria Limited where he was Assistant Design Manager; Lebanese Sageto Limited where he was Project Coordinator; and Crushed Rock Industries Nigeria Limited owned by Germans.
He is the Managing Partner at Constyle Services Limited; Chairman of Fiasminat Limited; a partner at Kab Development Services. Saifudeen is an accredited resource person with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and a member of the Education Sub-Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Murtala Olarewaju is a grassroots politician, an administrator and a teacher. He attended Federal College ofEducation Kontangora for his National Certificate of Education; Kwara State Polytechnic for his Higher National Diploma; and Ladoke Akintola University for his Master in Public Administration. He also has Teacher Grade II Certificate from New Bussa Teachers College Niger State.

He taught at various schools between 1982 and 1998. He was an administrative officer with the Kwara State Local Government Service Commission between 1998 and 2017. He retired as Deputy Director of Administration in 2017. Olarewaju hails from Ijagbo town in Oyun Local Government Area of the state.

A successful businessman and administrator, Wahab Agbaje (Whyte) holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ladoke Akintola University. He also bagged High National Diploma in Accounting from Kwara State Polytechnic and National Diploma in Accounting from Federal Polytechnic Nasawara.

Agbaje is the Managing Director of Whyte and Associates Nigeria Limited. He is the Community Representative of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Offa. A senior member at the Institute of Diplomacy and Conflict Management, Agbaje has had at least 12 years experience in educational and business administration, conflict resolution, agriculture, revenue mobilisation, construction and contract negotiations.

Whyte, as he is fondly called, has been a grassroots politician since 1990. He was a member of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee for President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation (2018) and Director of Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Campaign Organisation (2018). Agbaje was National Vice Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP. He was elected state chairman of the party in 2006. He was also councillor-elect Shawo South West Ward, Offa Local Government in 1996.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“Given the unprecedented margin of victory that Mr. President recorded in our state, Kwara, and the very glaring acceptability of his candidature across the country, I have always known that any legal challenge to his victory was just an academic exercise because the people have spoken clearly,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“Without predudice to the right of the opposition to seek redress as they did, the judgment of the presidential election tribunal only affirmed the position of the people of Nigeria who appreciate the discipline, integrity, patriotism, and commitment of Mr. President to a better Nigeria.”

He said the judgment was a victory for the ordinary Nigerians who stood for many hours on the queue to cast their ballot in the election.

AbdulRazaq also commended the erudition of the President’s legal team who the Governor said remained focus “even in the face of every-day propaganda by the opposition.”

He called on Nigerians across party lines to rally round the President to deliver more dividends of democracy.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor