Date: 2014-10-09

PDP governorship hopeful Mohammed Dele Belgore on Wednesday began on a tour of the Kwara South senatorial district where he was received by party executives and supporters who described him as a very outstanding aspirant among the pack.

Belgore, a senior advocate of Nigeria, began the tour from the PDP local government headquarters at Oke Ero where party chieftains took turns to assess him.

Apart from Oke Ero, Belgore also visited Ekiti, Irepodun and Isin where he told party executives that the only agenda he has is "the agenda of a new Kwara where our children will not be at the mercy of anyone to attain their full potentials, a Kwara that truly belongs to all of us "

He urged them to shun sectional agenda which he warns would be inimical to the success of the party at the general election.

"Whether you are from south, north or central we are all victims of arbitrary rule of one single individual and his lackeys. I want you to know that Kwarans, whether from south, central or north, have a common enemy. We have a golden opportunity to chase him away now," Belgore said, repeatedly drawing applause from party chieftains.

Party chieftains thanked Belgore for his pro-unity stand and reassured him of support at the appropriate time.

"We were very glad and excited at your coming to PDP. When we heard that you did not agree to stay in APC with them we heaved a sigh of relief. And your coming to the PDP really enlivened the party. We have been used as second fiddle and we urge you not to forget us when you get there," Pa Ebun Afolayan, a member of the state executive from Oke Ero who spoke on behalf of the party executives, said the event in Ilofa.

"We know your quality because at a time people couldn't challenge the status quo, you stood firm and fought a good fight that saw you going as far as the Supreme Court. We all knew the truth at that period."

Bade Ajayi, PDP ward chairman for Oke Opin Etan ward who spoke on behalf of the Ekiti executives, said Belgore's personality, charisma and pro-unity stance are "infectious." He said Ekiti would stand behind the candidate they believe could win the election for PDP irrespective of where he comes from.

PDP chairman for Irepodun local government Azeez Yakub said they were glad Belgore came to the party because of his clout and "brilliant showing" in the 2011 election.

"Anytime he came to Irepodun our leaders were always trembling because we all knew how popular he is among the masses. He was such a big headache for us in the past election," Yakub said.

"We therefore promise not to endorse an unpopular candidate, no matter what anyone gives us. Everyone knows how popular Belgore is and we will decide appropriately in the interest of our party."

The reception was equally warm in Isin local government where the chairman Dele Ogunbayo said he was impressed by "the fact that you were the only one who looked Bukola Saraki in the face. We know how outstanding you are as an aspirant and we believe you have nothing to fear in Isin."

Belgore was accompanied on the trip by top party chieftains and elders from across the state including a former lawmaker Chief Bisi Oloruntoba, Reverend Bunmi Olusona, Alhaji Atanda Zoro, Mallam Yunus and Chief Titiloye.

The visit continues on Thursday to Offa, Oyun and Ifelodun. The train moves to Kwara north in the coming week.

He is yet to formally declare for the governorship seat.