Date: 2012-01-09

Ahead of today’s nation-wide primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The Kwara State Chapter of the party has unanimously adopted the principles of zoning and fixed tenure for the next political dispensation in the State to promote a sense of belonging by all.

Under the unanimous arrangement, the Governorship slot would now to be rotated among the three Senatorial Districts for a fixed term of four years starting with Kwara South Senatorial District for the next political dispensation.

This decision was arrived at by the party today during an emergency meeting of all PDP aspirants in the State and other stakeholders of the party with the State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki in Ilorin.

Going by the principle of zoning as adopted by the party, all Governorship aspirants from the Kwara Central Senatorial District have since withdrew from today’s primaries with immediate effect and pledged their loyalty to the party as well.

Among the aspirants that withdrew ahead of the party’s primaries were Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Alhaji Abdul-Rasaq Atunwa and Alhaji Folorunsho Ayinla, all from Kwara Centrral Senatorial District.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Governor and leader of the party, Dr Bukola Saraki said the decision on zoning and tenure was arrived at in order to ensure a good sense of belonging for all and allows the party to remain united.

His word:"I believe that as a party, we must take certain position in order to ensure a sense of belonging and also fairness, equity and everlasting unity among us all".

According to him, he noted that to ensure that the party remains united, Kwara Central having produced Governor for an upward of 12 years, it was only logical to leave the slot for both Kwara North and South in the spirit of fair play, justice and equity.

The decision, the Governor further disclosed, would go a long way to alley the fears of dominance by the other two districts, pointing out that it would help to subdue the unwholesome acrimonious politicking.

Dr. Saraki told the party leaders and stakeholders that they have the responsibility to provide the pathway for strengthening the party and ensure that we all move forward to achieve a common goal.

He however enjoined party members to work hard to ensure the emergence of all the party’s aspirants for the National Assembly election, noting that a vote for them is a vote for the party.

Responding, other aspirants from the North and Southern Senatorial Districts all aligned with the party’s decision and pledged to support whoever among them emerges as the party’s flag bearer at the end of the primary election.


Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
09/01/2011