Kwara APC supporters, candidates hold road walk thanksgiving after primaries’ results ratified

Kwara APC supporters, candidates hold road walk thanksgiving after primaries’ results ratified

Dele Moses, Ilorin

A crowd of supporters and chieftains of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Kwara State on Sunday held a thanksgiving road walk in Ilorin, the state capital, after a ratification of outcome of the primary elections of the party in the state by the national leadership of the party

The elections which were meant to produce the party’s candidate for the numerous seats that are to be contested in 2027 general elections in most cases generated crises as aspirants were disputing the results announced.

However, the crises appear to have been addressed to an extent as the state leadership of the party has been giving candidates whose candidature is said to have been ratified by the national leadership of the party nomination forms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill.

One of the candidates that has been given the nomination form is Yakubu Salihu Danladi, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly who was announced as the winner of the governorship primaries.

He contested the primaries with 15 other aspirants most of whom have since the announcement of the result maintained their disagreement with the result claiming that no true election was conducted both only imposition of Danladi as the winner.

The road walk attracted party leaders, candidates and supporters who while celebrating the outcome of the primaries also reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

Speaking during the event, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Alhaji Abdulateef Alakawa, said the gathering was organised to appreciate God and the APC leadership for ensuring a peaceful primary process that reflected the wishes of party members.

He said that the emergence of candidates through the direct primary election demonstrated the strength of internal democracy within the party.

“Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We are grateful to God that the primaries were peaceful and successful, with our candidates emerging across the various positions,” Alakawa said.

He said that beyond the thanksgiving, the rally served as an early mobilisation exercise ahead of the 2027 elections while also reinforcing the commitment of APC members in Kwara to the Tinubu administration and the AbdulRazaq-led government.

Alakawa while speaking on crises over the primary elections said that the party remained united, revealing that a reconciliation committee had already begun engaging stakeholders to resolve issues arising from the primaries.

“In every democratic process, there will be winners and others who may not emerge. As far as the APC is concerned, we have no losers. The party has already constituted a reconciliation committee, and we are confident all issues will be resolved,” he stated.

The APC candidate for Kwara North Senatorial District, Dr Ahmad Muhammad, expressed appreciation to party members and residents of the district for the confidence reposed in him during the primary election.

He also commended President Tinubu and Governor Abdulrazaq for what he described as visionary leadership, particularly the decision to zone the APC governorship ticket to Kwara North.

“We appreciate the people of Kwara for giving Kwara North the opportunity to produce the next governor. Today’s rally demonstrates the confidence and support the people have for the leadership of Gov. AbdulRazaq and the APC,” Muhammad said.

He expressed optimism about the party’s electoral chances, saying “We are confident of victory. APC has continued to enjoy the support of the people, and we believe that will be sustained.”

Also speaking, the party’s candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District, Olalekan Adewoye, thanked party leaders and members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party in the forthcoming election.

He described the APC as a united family and said the outcome of the primaries reflected the collective will of members.

“I am grateful to God and to the leadership of our party for the confidence reposed in me. Without their support, this would not have been possible,” Adewoye said.

The Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Oba Magaji Abdulkadri, who was also at the occassion said the massive turnout at the rally underscored the unity and strength of the ruling party in the state.

“We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood,” he said.

Abdulkadri expressed confidence that the APC would maintain its political dominance in Kwara ahead of the next general elections.

“The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright,” he said.

Dismissing fears about opposition parties, the lawmaker insisted that the APC remained firmly united and focused on consolidating its achievements.

“We are not afraid. As our leaders have said, there is practically no opposition in Kwara. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state,” Abdulkadri stated.