• SYD’s candidacy widely accepted: Sai Kayi
• No room for politics with many colours in Kwara: Gov’s aide Salahu
Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, was at a standstill on Saturday as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a 20,000-man mega rally to mobilise support for the party’s flag bearers ahead of the 2027 polls.
The solidarity rally, organized by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Prince Suleiman Abubakar Sai Kayi, was specifically dedicated for the electoral bids of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi.
Launched at Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (General Hospital) roundabout, the procession went through some major streets in the metropolis, drawing participants who are party faithful and supporters from across the Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa and Moro Local Governments that constitute the Ilorin Emirate.
Wife of the Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly and APC Gubernatorial candidate, Hajiya Sa’adat Yakubu Danladi; House of Assembly members and candidates for Ilorin East and Ilorin South Constituencies, Hon Fatima Arinola Lawal and Hon Mariam Yusuf Aladi were present.
Other bigwigs that graced the event were Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau; Special Adviser on Special Duties and DG APC Campaign Council (Central), Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah; and APC chieftain, Dr Ghali Alaya; Special Adviser on Media Alhaji Bashir Adigun; Council Chairmen for Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South and Moro; HoA candidate for Ilorin North-West Constituency, Hon Ahmed Bolaji Sholagberu; Engr AbdulRahman Giwa; General Manager, KWASSIP, Dr Abdulwasiu Tejidini; and Wahab Abdulmajeed a.k.a Aburo Gomina.
Adorned in APC uniforms and caps branded with ‘My vote is for APC’ and ‘#Iwaju LaNlo’, the marchers took delight in the political gathering as they were miming and dancing to different pro-government chants.
Prince Sai Kayi, while addressing newsmen, said the gathering was to appreciate the excellent performance of Governor AbdulRazaq, citing his scorecards in the basic infrastructure like road and education, as well as the given priority to the welfare of workers and pensioners.
He described the emergence of Rt Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, as a continuity agenda that is based on fairness and justice, saying the incoming government will consolidate on the achievements of Governor AbdulRazaq.
“The youth are more than any other age group in this rally. We are gathered to appreciate Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving us SYD. SYD is part of our own constituency,” he said.
“We believe that SYD is part and parcel of all the achievements recorded by Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq since 2019 to date. We believe in a government of continuity for us to move forward.”
Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Salahu, for his part, urged the citizens not to allow themselves to be swayed by the antics of the opposition parties, particularly PDP, but to choose their candidates based on substance and their records of public service.
Noting that Governor AbdulRazaq has continually impacted lives and turned around the Kwara through several people-focused programmes and projects, the Governor’s aide expressed confidence that this will earn him and other candidates of the party massive votes.
“The Governor’s unique leadership style emphasizes zero tolerance to political thuggery and emphasizes politics without bitterness. We can have political differences, but you will agree with me that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has never encouraged political thuggery, in contrast to the style of the past government,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the rally.
Salahu also declared that there was no room for what he called politics of many colours otherwise known as rainbow coalition in Kwara, noting that the APC’s popularity and its chances of winning from top to bottom are not in doubt.
He charged party faithful to continue to be peaceful and committed to their door-to-door campaigns.
Jiddah praised party members and supporters for coming out en masse to demonstrate their love and support for the Governor and other candidates, urging them to make sure they get their permanent voters” cards (PVCs) when it is time for collection.
Dr Tejidini, in his comment, said the massive turnout of men, women, youths and other groups reflected a widespread support for the APC and its commitment to good governance.
“Today Kwara Central has spoken. The whole Kwara has spoken, because the good work of His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, has really spoken for itself, and in fact it has really campaigned for itself, because the developmental agenda of Mr. President is exactly what Mr. Governor is replicating here in Kwara,” he said.
A former APC House of Assembly aspirant for Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, Abdulrasheed Akogun, called the zoning of the governorship ticket to Kwara North a historic political breakthrough for the people of the region, commending the Governor for standing by equity, fairness and justice.
He however lauded AbdulRazaq for providing a level playing field for members to pursue their ambitions during the party primaries, regardless of the political tendencies they all belong to, noting this also speaks to the Governor’s leadership qualities.