It is no longer news that during the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State some months ago, he promised the people of the state total freedom from all forms of oppression and imposition from the hands of the hawks piloting the affairs of the state. He also assured the people that only a PDP government in the state can guarantee total freedom for the people. After the visit, Kwara PDP became the new bride in the state. The hopes of Kwarans was reawakened. Every freedom lovers identified with the party and the possibility of moving the state forward by a PDP government in the state changed from a mere dream to reality. The Peoples’ hope was rekindled again.

Consequent upon this, the party decided to lead by example through its numerous activities. The party departed from the usual imposition of candidates associated with the ruling party in the state, the All Progressive Congress, APC. Congresses were conducted in peaceful, mature and democratic manners.Kwarans were impressed and gave the party massive support in every nooks and crannies of the state.

KWARA PDP PRIMARIES: MATTERS ARISING.

It is noteworthy to state that Kwara PDP  primaries is the most peaceful primaries ever conducted throughout the country. It was devoid of rancour and violence. From the State House of Assembly, National Assembly as well as the Governorship primaries, elections were peaceful throughout the state. The most popular candidates emerged in each of the segment with the voice of the delegates heard loudly and clearly. All aspirants accepted the verdict and also happy about the aftermath of the exercise because it was the will of the people that surpasses at the end of the day. The various successes recorded was highlight of victory for our nascent ?democracy. The conduct of our party men and women during this primaries further send a signal of total freedom and new beginning to the people of kwarans  who expressed their joy and pledge unalloyed support for the party.

The Governorship primaries was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere and the most popular candidates among the people and delegates emerged.

Senator S.S. Ajibola and Yinka Aluko are the symbols of the total freedom Kwaran desired. They are both men the Kwara PDP delegates gave their votes. They are well trusted. Sen Ajibola has been tested and he has proved to be trusted. He is the Senator representing Kwara South in the national assembly in the last 12 years. A man who is a silent achiever. He is loved by the people. Ajibola as a senator has contributed massively to the development of the party and the senatorial district he represent. He is not a noise maker but a great achiever who believed in the development of the state. He has demonstrated his passion for development through different projects he executed in various communities in the state. A man who believes in the youths. He has empowered and uplifted thousands of youths in the state by empowering them. His achievement are numerous and this medium is not for that purpose. It is therefore not surprising that, he was elected by the delegates at the primaries to fly the party ticket being the most qualified, trusted and tested. It is pertinent to note that, if the primaries was to be won on the basis of the highest bidder in terms of money and materials, Ajibola  would not have won. He won on the basis of popularity and acceptance among the people. Ajibola is an elderly man with a cool mein but amiable personality. He is today, the freedom torchbearer for kwarans.

However, the party is on the verge of mismanaging its success.

There has been press release by some individuals in the party that  the result of a the primaries will be determined by the party’s NWC in Abuja.

If this press release is anything to go by, it is undemocratic, unacceptable and uncalled for. It is purely against all tenets of democracy. It is a means to snatch the mandate of the delegates to elect the flag bearers of the party. It is a means to destroy kwara PDP . It is a hope dashing situation for the good people of kwara state. It is a means of leaving the state in the hand of the plunderer who fly around the world with their families and cronies with state resources. It is another journey of hopelessness for the people of the state who are the poorest in terms of development and per capita income in the federation. Any decision to shortchange Kwara governorship ticket will only spell doom for the party.

The planner of this evil machinations are agents of the ruling party parading as freedom fighters. Any attempt by Nwc to change the mandate freely given to the aspirants rubbishes the total freedom slogan of my President.

Let it be known that, Kwara PDP delegates have spoken and the message is clear: SS Ajibola and Yinka Aluko are the popular choice. On Ajibola and Aluko’s mandates we stand. They are the total symbols of freedom. Ajibola, Aluko , others mandates must be protected.

Gbenga Awoyale is the President General of Orisun Igbomina, Kwara State.