Will the zoning principle pact signed in 2011 by the then leadership of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP take effect in the forthcoming election as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed clocks three years? AROWONA ABDULAZEEZ asks.

As the 2015 general election gathers momentum, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, is one of the serving governors who may eventually opt to seek re-election for a second term bid. He was elected in 2011 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after benefiting from the zoning principle adopted by the party which eventually paved the way for him as a candidate from the Kwara South senatorial district to emerge as governor.

It was agreed that the idea of zoning would address the crisis of marginalization of some areas in the state, particularly because since the restoration of democracy in 1999, Late Governor Mohammed Lawal, an indigene of Ilorin was elected on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party, APP, and ruled from 1999 to 2003, while Dr. Bukola Saraki who is also from Ilorin came to power between 2003 and 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

With the zoning principle, the current Governor, Alhaji Ahmed, a former Commissioner for Finance, and later Economic Planning during the immediate past administration, an indigene of Share in Ifelodun local government, came on board.

Originally, the deal for one-term pact for each senatorial district was struck, but with the unfolding political drama in the state currently, the question on the lips of Kwarans now is, will the pact be amended or not, more so as the entire PDP leadership structure has since been moved to the All Progressives Congress, APC, when Bukola Saraki and the Governor Ahmed-led political teams dumped PDP.

Like some of his counterparts in other states across the federation who emerged via the 2011 general elections, Governor Ahmed clocked three years few days ago and he commissioned some projects amid fanfare despite the antagonism by the PDP which requested the APC-led government to stem down all its activities in tune with the mood of the nation.

At the State Government House where he launched the Quickwin and the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme¸ KWABES, Governor Ahmed said: “Exactly three years ago when I became your governor, I made a solemn pledge to prioritize youth empowerment in all government programmes. That commitment was driven not by political expediency or the euphoria of victory. Rather, it was propelled by the urgent need to empower this largest component of our population.

“Therefore, as our democracy enters its 15th year, as we silence the drums of celebration in tune with the national mood, this intervention is perhaps the best way to commemorate our return to representative governance. Indeed, the challenges that confront us today may tempt us to become pessimistic. But let me make it very clear: We have covered considerable ground and given hope for a much better tomorrow.

“In the road sector, we have demonstrated the benefits of continuity by completing all but a few inherited roads while a similar proportion of those started by this administration within and outside the state capital have been completed, such as the Oro-Ijomu, Oro Road which I commissioned yesterday.

“In the education sector, more of our children now receive functional education as we have up-scaled education reforms, enhanced primary and secondary school infrastructure and structured skill acquisition training in the state. With the imminent opening of the City and Guilds-affiliated International Vocational Center, Ajasse Ipo, Kwara State is poised to become the hub for globally recognized vocational skills in the sub-region.

“What these strides imply is that we have strengthened our people’s confidence in democracy and given hope. Based on the significant number of lives we have transformed in the last three years, the future is even brighter for our state and its people. Men and women, young and old now have access to concrete opportunities to enhance their livelihoods, live a decent life and prosper in an atmosphere of peace. In the coming months, this administration will begin implementation of state-wide socio-economic capital projects that will boost our state as an emerging economic hub.”

QuickWin is perhaps the only empowerment scheme of its type in this country that is open to all residents regardless of their skill sets, levels of education or state of origin.

“To underline this scheme’s importance and ensure its sustenance, government has set aside N2.4b to fund the scheme for the next one year while N164m has already been expended on the newly created Environmental Corps and an enhanced Kwara State Road Traffic Management Agency, KWARTMA. To further stimulate economic activities

and enhance public works, QuickWin also includes low-hanging projects such as classroom rehabilitation, transformer installation, and borehole construction across the state.”

At Offa in Offa local government area where he commissioned a General Hospital for the people of the area, the governor said: “Today, we take a step closer to a health system that is modern, affordable, and accessible. On this day, we fulfill our pledge to bequeath a state-of-the-art health facility to the vibrant Offa community and its environs.

“Certainly, our determination to provide qualitative healthcare necessitated the renovation and equipping of five General Hospitals, including that of Offa, which we are opening today. It was also in line with our policy thrust of providing accessible health care within 500 meters radius-statewide. The remodeled Offa General Hospital is additionally to complement the provision of health care services by sister hospitals within and around this area.

“Aside from the structural renovation and installation of modern medical equipment, the hospital also boasts of qualified and committed medical personnel that can compete favorably anywhere in the world.

“My administration’s visible strides in the health sector testify to our recognition of quality healthcare as a precondition for sustained human capital development. We have demonstrated this commitment through the remodeling of Offa, Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Share and Kaiama General Hospitals as well as the distribution of drugs and equipment to thirteen general hospitals and 43 primary healthcare centers.

“Significant as they are, these interventions only reflect the beginning of great things in the sector. Let me reiterate that efforts are on-going to renovate and equip an additional five General Hospitals in the State.”

Also in Omu-Aran, Irepodun local government area of the state, the governor commissioned another general hospital saying: “Not only are we witnessing the beginning of enhanced healthcare service in Omu-Aran and its environs, we are also part of the recanalization of this very important economic artery in our state which has been hampered by violent crime in recent months.

“Having boosted security in Omu-Aran and environs, let me reassure the people of Omu-Aran and indeed all Kwarans that my administration will stop at nothing to secure lives and property across the state. This ceremony is therefore one of the several positive developments that are heralding the revival of this great community as one of our state’s economic centers.

“I want to state with all sense of pride that my administration’s reform of the health sector is not mere lip service, but are visible and concrete all over the state. Allow me to mention a few of the State Government efforts in health care delivery; Establishment of the State-of-Art, Kwara Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Ilorin, renovation and equipping of five General Hospitals including that of Omu-Ara, recruitment, training and re-training of health personnel.

With the foregoing among other achievements, electorate as well as political analysts in the state and beyond are of the opinion that the marriage between the former members of the new PDP in Kwara State and the legacy parties which eventually gave birth to the opposition party, APC, is still at its tender age and that Dr. Saraki may find it

very difficult to sacrifice Governor Ahmed in fulfillment of the zoning principle pact signed some three years ago.

Others believe that, head or tail, Governor Ahmed (if not for second term race) might win, as he could equally be the candidate for the Kwara South senatorial seat at the National Assembly, to join the current lawmakers who are also former governors of the state namely; Senators Sha’aba Lafiagi and Bukola Saraki.