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As Delegates Re-elect Fagbemi as Party’s State Chairman
- Safiu Kehinde
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman has reassured Nigerians of the All Progressives Congress (APC) committment to the development of the country, stressing that the party has the road map and vision for a better Nigeria.
Abdulrahman made this known while addressing party supporters and other dignitaries at the state APC Congress in Ilorin on Tuesday.
While admitting possible challenges to be likely faced by the party ahead of the 2027 Presidential election, the Kwara governor affirmed that the APC, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remains the only party with a roadmap to a better Nigeria.
As quoted in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Abdulrahman cited the mass defection of opposition members to the party as well as economic growth as evidences of the APC administration’s accomplishments
“This party, being led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a party for all.
“You can see at the national level, governors, structures from other parties are collapsing into APC, because they believe this is the future, this is where we’re going.
“APC is the party that has a roadmap, that has a vision for a better Nigeria.
“Nationally, you can see that inflation has dropped, exchange rate is stabilising, GDP is improving, growth is improving. So the President is doing well.” He said.
On his own administration in Kwara state, AbdulRazaq said he has raised the bar of good and impactful governance in the state, citing unprecedented strides in infrastructural renewal, revenue reforms, education and basic healthcare delivery, and social security for the people.
He maintained that his administration has modernised infrastructure across sectors, especially road, school and hospitals, and that his yet-to-be-known successor will have the task of further raising the bar.
Meanwhile, the governor noted that he is not interested in building any political dynasty, adding that his focus on leaving legacies of a better developed state has been achieved to the glory of God.
“Congratulations for our journey so far. Congratulations for being able to meet here peacefully and successfully today. I’ll give us a pass mark,
“We are in the era of politics. If I may say so myself, I think we’ve done very well, exceedingly well.
“To the extent that I’ll say, over six years of our tenure have seen greater investments in infrastructure and across very important sectors than what we met.
“As you can see, opposition has collapsed nationally and especially in Kwara state. But we will not be complacent.
“We need to work harder and build on what we have achieved so far.” He said.
On the party primaries, AbdulRasaq held that they are always a challenging time for political parties, urging all aspirants to be calm and peaceful.
“Yes, there are challenges ahead and those challenges are about healthy competition because the party primaries will soon begin.
“I call for a healthy competition amongst us especially for those that will succeed. Those that succeed in picking party tickets, we wish them good luck and encourage them to carry along those that do not succeed. It should be one family,” he said.
AbdulRazaq noted that Kwara has been repositioned in all ramifications under his watch, and wondered which areas the opposition parties will pick their campaigns from.
“In terms of opposition, yes, they will make their politics, they will say all kinds of things to the people.
“But you have seen that since we came in, Kwara has taken a new turn, a turn for the better. So that’s why I don’t know what the opposition will campaign with,
“Is it about infrastructure, or about healthcare, or education? We’ve done exceedingly well. So, we will continue to do better.” He said.
The governor held that his objective is to build a legacy as he charged his successor to further raise the legacy.
“Like I’ve always said, we’re not here to build a dynasty. We’re here to build a legacy. And I pray for the person who succeeds me to do better than I have done for the good of our people. I have raised the bar; as a team we have raised the bar.
“Our successors will raise it further each year and learn. So, I thank our party’s team from Abuja, who have come to coordinate this occasion. I also thank the observers from INEC.” He said.
Meanwhile, the state congress saw the party leaders and members returning Prince Sunday Fagbemi and other members of the state executive committee to their positions, in what the party chief called a vote of confidence on their stewardship.
In his address, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Dr. Alkali Alibe, said the affirmation of the new leadership of the party was in line with the Constitution of the party.
“Kwara State has been consolidating politically under your leadership. People are happy under your stewardship as the Executive Governor of the state and we can see evidences of this in every part of the state we have been to,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker of the House of Assembly Salihu Yakubu Danladi; Senators Lola Ashiru (South), Suleiman Sadiq Umar (North), and Saliu Mustapha (Central).
Also in attendance were members of the Kwara House of Assembly which include Raheem Olawuyi Ajulo-opin, Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya, and Ahmed Shaba.
Others present at the Congress cabinet members; chairmen and members of federal and state boards and parastatals; Senators Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi and Ahmed Mohammed; former APC Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa; and other party leaders.