Date: 2014-10-06

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara State chapter has said despite the endorsement of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office by APC stakeholders led by Senator Bukola Saraki, the APC governorship primary election would hold on Saturday, November 15, 2014 in Kwara State.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the APC said, "If Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed emerges as our flagbearer at the governorship primary election on Saturday, November 15, his candidacy would not only crush the PDP but also ensure landslide victory for the APC in the 2015 general elections".

"The statement credited to the opposition PDP describing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed's candidacy as a walkover for the PDP is laughable. This laughable statement is contradictory to the feelers from PDP leaders and members in Kwara State as the endorsement of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed by APC stakeholders has sent jittery down the spines of Kwara PDP. The PDP can continue to live in self-denial. This is the same party that made several failed attempts to propagate a non-existent feud between Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki. For the PDP to have learnt the latter endorsed the former, it is understandable that the PDP will express its frustrations and bitterness. We sympathise with the PDP.

"Meanwhile, if Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed emerges as our flagbearer at the governorship primary election on Saturday, November 15, his candidacy would not only crush the PDP but also ensure landslide victory for the APC in the 2015 general elections.

"It is pathetic and pitiable that Kwara PDP lacks the understanding of distinctness between endorsement and imposition. The endorsement of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term by APC stakeholders is a product of painstaking review of his performances and policies in office. This endorsement is not unusual, it is just one of the numerous endorsements Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has enjoyed from prominent Kwarans and groups like Okada association, NURTW, Artisans Congress, National Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara North Youth Consultative forum, National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS), Ilorin Emirate Students Union and other groups too numerous to mention. This is not imposition, it is endorsement. Imposition is bedrock of the crises presently ravaging the PDP in Ilorin West LG where unacceptable persons were imposed as PDP executives in the local government. The APC is unlike the PDP where imposition is practised per excellence.

"The fact that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has led a responsible and responsive government is no news to Kwarans; the achievements of the APC-led government are visible and impactful in the 16 LGAs of Kwara state.

"Roads have been constructed. Over 400 classrooms have been built and rehabilitated. Education has been made free. Governor Ahmed also increased access to tertiary education with fee reduction at tertiary institutions. Kwarans in thousands have been empowered through Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES). Kwara State now has an Aviation College that the world is proud of. The APC-led administration has done rural electrification in over 200 communities. Informal sector has been boosted with about N1billion in Micro credit to Micro small and medium scale enterprises. Thousands of Kwarans have been empowered through Quickwin Scheme coupled with enviable achievements in infrastructure, education, job creation, health sector and agricultural sectors.

"Surprisingly, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party is seriously aggravated in its frustrations and bitterness that it would claim road doesn’t exist where newly constructed road exists. This is the narrative of the disgruntled and deserted PDP in Kwara State.

"As announced by Kwara APC on Thursday, 4th of September, 2014, we reiterate that there is no automatic ticket for all aspirants, in all categories, contesting the 2015 general elections under our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.", the statement read.