A group within Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State under the aegis of the Freedom Group has thrown its weight behind the candidature of the party's governorship flag bearer in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola.

Apparently speaking against the backdrop of people who are clamouring for a change in gubernatorial candidate to a Muslim, the group in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Tajudeen Kareem and made available to Newswatch Times, described Ajibola's emergence as well deserved.

"We regard this victory as hard-won, sacrosanct and the true wish of the hundreds of delegates who kept vigil, endured the rigours of transportation, accreditation process and security hardships to exercise their mandate. We appeal to all members of PDP and lovers of our great party to support this milestone.

"We wish that, in the interest of democracy, freedom of choice and peace in our party, nothing is done to tamper with Senator Ajibola's mandate. Any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the governorship election supervised by Governor Gabriel Suswam is a recipe for electoral disaster for the PDP in Kwara State," they stated.

The group continued: "We testify to the fact that the gubernatorial primary election was conducted in adherence to due process, transparency and in conformity with the guidelines and regulations of the PDP. That if anyone or group of persons are uncomfortable with its outcome is myopic, divisive and undemocratic. It flies in the face of logic and the facts on the ground in Kwara State.

"When has religion become the basis for political representation in Kwara State? The advocates of anti-Ajibola candidacy are disingenuous. Their antics have exposed them as a bunch pursuing selfish interests and not the interest of our people. If Ajibola is a Christian so what?" They queried.

According to them, all the three candidates who recently won tickets to contest senatorial seats under PDP are Muslims- Alhaji Yinka Aluko, (Cenral); Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya, (North); Lola Ashiru, (South).

They added: "As a matter of fact, of the six candidates chosen by delegates for the House of Representatives election, only one- Richard Babatunde (Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero federal constituency) is a Christian. The rest are Muslims.

"Going further, the same PDP delegates had earlier elected 24 of their members to contest election to the House of Assembly. Of the lot, only six are Christians. They are-Enoch Omokanye (Odo-Ogun in Oyun), Henry Olatunde (Omupo in Ifelodun), Ben Duntoye (Irepodun), Olu Adeoti (Oke-Ero), Segun Bamidele (Ekiti) and Sunday Adedoyin (Isin)", they explained.

The Freedom Group, the statement stressed, is comfortable with the emergence of Senator Ajibola, which is the collective wish of PDP members who earlier elected delegates to represent them.

The group stressed: "His emergence has put a lie to the face of those who tried to hoodwink the delegates that the Presidency in Abuja had anointed a candidate.

"As a group committed to equity and defence of the popular wishes and aspirations of our people, we had earlier made a declaration that the governorship ticket of the PDP be zoned to Kwara South Senatorial district where the major opposition APC has picked its own candidate.

"This declaration conforms to the political direction of the leaders and key stakeholders of Kwara North Senatorial district and is also in tandem with the standing resolution of Kwara South Elders and Stakeholders Forum meeting hosted by former Deputy Governor- Chief Joel Ogundeji.

"Anyone, no matter how highly placed, who works against this popular self-determination decision massively supported by the people should be regarded as a traitor.

"We remain resolutely committed to these principles and ideals which are rooted in fairness, inclusiveness and political justice. We reject the views and opinions of those who want to subsumed democracy under primordial ethnic and religious sentiments. Kwara deserves its harmony. PDP must shun advocates of divisive politics," they added.