National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has explained that the choice of 41-year-old Salihu Yakubu Danladi as gubernatorial candidate of the party in Kwara State was a product of stakeholders’ engagement guided by the need for inclusion, fairness and equity.
The APC Chairman said this during an exclusive interview with Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV on Sunday Politics.
He said Kwara North has not had the opportunity to govern Kwara since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999.
“All the Governors that have emerged in Kwara State from 1999 till date are from Kwara Central, only one is from Kwara South,” he said.
“The party in its wisdom felt that there should be inclusion, and Kwara North should be given an opportunity to produce the Governor.”
Prof. Yilwatda said Kwara Northerners are happy with APC for giving them the opportunity to get a shot at the highest public office in the state.
Talking about post-primaries reconciliation, he added the party has continued to engage stakeholders across levels to resolve grievances and mobilise support for maximum success in the forthcoming polls in the state.
The National Chairman also dismissed insinuations that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq unilaterally imposed the gubernatorial candidate.
According to him, Danladi had the backing of major stakeholders in the state and party.
He said the institution of the party at the national level have agreed that there was need for inclusion, equity and fairness.
The National Chairman expressed confidence that APC will deliver for Tinubu, governorship and senatorial candidates, as well as all its candidates in the forthcoming elections in Kwara State.
