Date: 2009-12-20

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki has assured that the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Committee’s report on electoral reforms before the National Assembly would soon be passed into law to ensure credible elections in the Country.

Governor Saraki gave the assurance in Ilorin at the weekend while speaking with newsmen shortly after the special prayer organized to mark his 47th birthday anniversary at his Iloffa road residence.

Dr. Saraki, who reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to raise the standard of living of the citizenry, explained that with the passage of the long-awaited electoral reforms, the fears by Nigerians of what becomes the outcome of the 2011 general elections would be laid to rest.

He specifically appealed to key actors in the political system to reform themselves first and learn how to accept election results in good faith rather than see election as a do or die affair.

According to him, politicians should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship to accept defeat at election which he said was the only way to ensure credible elections in future.

He attributed the success of his administration to the clear-cut separation of governance from politics and called for division of responsibilities to achieve development.

On the recent fuel scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country as a result of the controversy surrounding the proposed fuel deregulation by the Federal Government, he assured that the problem would soon be over as arrangement was in top gear by government and labour to arrive at a workable solution.

Dr Saraki, who had earlier called on the people of the State during the special birthday prayer to be more committed and loyal to move the State forward, said no nation could attain greatness on sycophancy and advised Kwarans to remain steadfast.

The prayer session which was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir and assisted by other notable Islamic scholars was attended by scores of political associates, party faithfuls and well-wishers of the governor.

In their goodwill messages, the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Ogundeji, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje had separately showered encomiums on the governor for setting a good precedent for others to follow.

In his sermon, an Ilorin based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sannu Shehu whose lecture was titled “Kwara before and during Bukola Saraki”, praised the governor for raising the hope of the citizenry and for re-writing the history of the State.

Similar prayer session was also organized by the Agbaji Development Association in honour of the 47th birthday celebration of Dr. Saraki at Agbaji Quarters.

Mas’ud Adebimpe

Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

20/12/09