Kwara APC Request For Protection Against Invasion By Moles

Kwara State All Progressives Congress elders and youths has drawn the attention of the APC leadership towards the invasion of moles sent into the party by the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Here is the press statement presented by the Hon. Saheed Popoola;

The National Chairman,
All Progressives Congress (APC),
National Secretariat,
Abuja.

Your Excellency,

Request to protect Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against invasion by moles.

Introduction:

We must appreciate the ingenuity that your leadership brought to play in the administration of our great party, which has returned the party to the path of honor and respect.

We are indeed grateful in Kwara State that your timely interventions did not only help to put the days of locust behind us but we have been able to warm ourselves into the heart of the masses.

We recall with admiration your support in the dark days of our party in the state, when one man held us in the jugular. You stood stoutly against his machinations and we were able to kick him like an epidemic out of our party.

We must state here unequivocally that, we have unwavering faith in the leadership of Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa led State Executive Council. Bolarinwa has worked assiduously to stabilize the party and he has successfully cement all tendencies within the party.

We are grateful to the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for standing with the party during the thick and thin.

Your Excellency, your tactical support during our trying days that eventually led to the shameful exit of Dr. Bukola Saraki from our party was legendary. It really became a blessing to the party and the good people of Kwara State.

We received in droves former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in our state, into our folds immediately Dr. Saraki was smoked out of our party and we have done everything to make their stay within the party comfortable.

Though the harmonization process was rigorous, we ultimately had a good and smooth process that accommodated all tendencies within the party.

Matters for your urgent attention:

As we prepare for the Governorship primaries of the party this weekend, precisely Saturday 29th, September 2018, there are a number issues begging for your attention as far as Kwara APC is concerned.

We have discorved through our interaction with the good people of the State that, neither direct nor indirect mode of primary will suit our party in Kwara State. This is due largely to our pecularity, as a state where the hands of one man is seen almost everywhere, we need to be vigilant.

We heard from reliable sources that Dr. Saraki had purchased nomination forms in excess of N300m for his cronies for all offices to be contested during the primaries in the coming days.

For example, if we decided to conduct an indirect primary, he will only push cash through his cronies in our midst and buy as many delegates over to secure them party flags. We learnt that was the undoing of the PDP in 2015.

However, the direct primary would have been a better option but its demerits, are equally starring us in the face. We have evidences that some imported elements from Osun, Oyo and other neighbouring States participated in the just concluded registration exercise in Kwara State. We are also investigating how our membership forms were duplicated in some places.

It is clear from the foregoing that either direct or indirect mode of primary -the party nomination process is open to compromise.

However, the only and best option at this material time is the *adoption of consensus and zoning arrangement*  in the forthcoming party primaries at all levels.

The recent harmonization process that produced executives from the ward, local government to the state levels has shown that through a well planned, structured and programmed consensus mode of primary which is supported by the party constitution, we can seamlessly produce all our flag bearers.

It will be fair and just that the foundation APC members be allowed to pick the Governorship ticket, while the Deputy Governorship ticket goes to the PDP stock that joined the party recently.

This arrangement will help to stem unnecessary bickering within the party. It will also foster unity amongst party members. This is what everyone will consider: a win - win strategy.

The aftermath of PDP primaries in Kwara State in 2015, while they were in opposition was the inability of the party to produce a member out of the 24 members of the State Assembly; Nothing out of the 6 Federal House of Representatives; None of the 3 Senators and ultimately lost the seat of the Governor.

With this fact staring us in the face, we are determined to save the party and the vast majority of our people in Kwara State looking onto us for redemption of the State from returning them to Egypt. God forbid a repeat of 2015 experience that produced nothing for brothers coming from PDP!

If our idea is sincerely adhered to, every member and bloc within the party will be fairly treated and the State will be better for it. We are concerned about the development of our State through our platform -All Progressives Congress (APC).

We are convinced that the welfarist programmes of the party are sufficient to bring back our lost years. This is a State that has been deliberately crippled by a clique of marauders.

As a party of the progressives, one of the ways to right the wrongs of the past perpetuated by the overlords is to correct the imbalance in political offices and build confidence among all categories of our people.

It is politically expedient and morally correct too, to allow the North Senatorial District have a shot at the number seat in the State. The North should be allowed to produce the Governor of Kwara State in 2019. Our party can do this, as a progressive platform.

Your Excellency Sir, as a people that have come a long way in the struggle to rescue and reclaim our party from Saraki and his cohorts, while still working to develop Kwara State; our suggestions are not only timely but expedient to save the peculiar situation of our State.

Thank you for your time Sir. Please be assured of our utmost respect and regards at all times.

Yours sincerely,


Hon. Prince Saheed Popoola
Member, Kwara State House of Assembly
(Kwara South)

Alhaji Omar Aiyelabegan
APC Leader
(Kwara Central)

Alhaji Mohammed Shafihi
APC Leader
(Kwara North)