There had been uneasy trade of words between the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Kwara State over allegations that Kwara PDP has been divided over struggle for ministerial nominations.

This was followed by the sack of the erstwhile Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who has occupied the slot of the people of Kwara State at the federal executive council for nearly three years as an Honourable Minster but failed to play the expectant roles in his home state.

Indications have however showed that the beneficiary of the vacant seat shall be a PDP member who shall put the interest of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, at heart towards the realisation of his next political ambition.

Meanwhile, there was also media hype that the party has been divided over who becomes the Minister alleging that stakeholders and would-be nominees are jostling to fill the vacuum with a view to becoming the leader of the party in the state.

Alas, the Unity/Freedom rally held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and other bigwigs of the ruling PDP remained the largest political gathering not only in the state but in the entire North-Central in the recent time as crowd was huge and the people were ecstatic giving the President a rousing welcome in a rare show of solidarity and assuring that “Kwara is PDP and PDP is Kwara”.

Although, PDP through its chairman Publicity Committee, Mohammed Mariam Alhassan, refuted the allegation describing it as a plot by the APC to distract the attention of the PDP members.

Mariam Alhassan in a statement also called on its teeming supporters to remain firm, focused and steadfast to the visions of the founding fathers of the party.

According to him, “we are aware of the an allegation claiming that Kwara PDP has torn apart over ministerial lobbying as untrue, malicious, unwarranted and mischief by some foes who are threatened by the party’s success stories in the state.

“We read the content of the publications with utmost sense of suspicion that the reportage is a clear misrepresentation of the team work among our members and serving as the script of some uninformed individuals who rely heavily on cheap blackmail and false media hype to deceive vast majority of the populace.”

Kwara PDP added that, “Such is their antics but they have grossly failed to come to terms that Kwarans are wise and know the right direction that will further enhance and guarantee their liberty towards quality and sustainable leadership even in the face of social and economic injustices.

“For us in Kwara PDP, we remain united, focus and dedicated to the achievement of the goals we have set in the search for “Freedom for Kwarans” in a short-while, indeed, we are on course!

“Three different gatherings held recently had further indicated the cause for which our party stood for as all stakeholders in the state contributed immensely to the success story. To this end, what binds us together pre-dates ministerial nomination period and we shall not relent in our efforts until we see Kwarans freed from their present status orchestrated by the Dr. Bukola Saraki-led political structure.”

The statement however said that, “Nomination of any of our members for appointment into the position of Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic shall be a good omen towards the realisation of our desire for good governance at all levels for our people as there shall no be “Victor nor Vanquish” in the process.”

Meanwhile Nigerian Pilotn Saturday gathered that Senator Gbemisola Saraki who was earlier pencilled down for the ministerial appointment might not eventually get it owing to stiff opposition from other stakeholders of the party who are equally interested in the coveted post.

It was however rumoured that the newly defected Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), former Transport and Sports Minister, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim and former Security Adviser to the state government, Alhaji Yinka Aluko are among potential personalities to be likely considered.

Furthermore, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Sulyman Ajadi, urged supporters of the Kwara PDP in the state to remain focused ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Sen. Ajadi who spoke at the Kwara North PDP rally held in Lafiagi, Edu local government area of the state added that PDP is ready to deliver Kwara State as well as entire Nigerians to the party at all levels noting that it is a misrepresentation to say PDP is dead in Kwara.

At the event graced by mammoth crowd of PDP supporters, dignitaries such as; Former Sports Minister, Ibrahim Bio, the First Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Former Minister for State Health, Hajiya Aminat Ndalolo, Former Security Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Yinka Aluko, Senators Suleiman Ajadi and Simeon Ajibola among others.

He also promised to convey the plight of the indigene requesting the Federal Government to take over the Kwara State College of Education, Lafiagi, alleging that the state government has neglected the institution.