Date: 2015-04-18

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Kwara State and his running mate, Senator Simeon Ajibola and Alhaji Yinka Aluko, have been commended for their spirit of sportsmanship in the just concluded governorship election in the state.

It is recalled that the duo of the PDP chieftains called to congratulate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and concede defeat few hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the incumbent governor as the winner of the governorship election on Sunday.

The commendation was made separately by leaders of three socio-political organisations in the state – Alhaji Haroun Adams of Forum For Good Governance, Olusegun Adeola of Vanguard for Continuity and John Folorunsho of Christian Professionals for Good Governance.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, the leaders of the socio-political organisations said it was the unity and cooperation of all stakeholders that are needed now, more than ever, to move the state forward.

During the election, Senator Ajibola polled 115,220 votes, while Alhaji Ahmed polled 295,832 votes.

The groups, which also called on supporters of the PDP chieftains to take a cue from the show of statesmanship and brotherliness exhibited by the political leaders, said they should put the election behind them.

The organisations, which hailed the people of Kwara State for their peaceful and orderly conduct throughout the electoral process, also appealed to them to join hands with the APC administration, saying that it is in the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere that further development could be attracted to the state.

They also wished Governor Ahmed more successful second term for the good people of the state, urging him to brace up for development challenges in areas of education, agriculture, health and infrastructure and do everything possible to bring new lease of life to the teeming populace of the state irrespective of the people’s political difference.

They also urged the governor to continue to make people’s welfare, security, job creation for unemployed youths and quality education for students priorities of his administration.

They said: “We congratulate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on his re-election victory at the just concluded governorship election.

“We salute the foresight and doggedness of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and we must emphasise that unfolding events in Nigeria and in Kwara State have shown that his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress was the best decision he could have taken given the circumstances of those times.

“It was not an easy ride or walk over to victory as some people would say and this victory is neither by fluke but the result of  his hard work, diligence and performance in office.

”