The Governor of Kwara State, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to strengthen the ties of unity, which ensured the party's victories in the last general elections to enable it fulfil its campaign promises to Nigerians.

Governor Ahmed made the call in Ilorin when he received the North Central Zone Executive members of the party, led by its Vice Chairman, Alhaji Zakari Abdullah. According to him, the APC members must put their differences aside, work for the success of party's programmes, the collective interest of Nigerians and inclusiveness in the overall interest of all party members.

He said: "As a party, we enjoyed the grace of God and massive support of Nigerians by being able to dislodge a ruling party of over 16 years in less than one and a half years of our party's formation. "It was a big feat. "The success was largely as a result of the determination of all the parties that came together to form the APC.

"Hence, we should not allow the steam to dry up. "We should not allow distraction to change the focus for which we told Nigerians we will try to create a change for better life." Governor Ahmed stressed the need to strengthen regional cooperation among governments and APC stakeholders in the North Central Zone to further develop the region economically.

On the delay in the payment of salaries at local government level, Governor Ahmed advocated the strengthening of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria to enable local governments in Nigeria drive their national interests collectively. He explained that the improved revenues through the State Internal Revenue Service had increased the capacity of the state to meet its obligations in the face of dwindling federal allocation.

Speaking earlier, Abdullah said the party was addressing critical issues within the zone in order to promote the interest of the party. He explained that the visit was to acquaint the Governor of activities of the APC in the zone and solicit support towards the programmes.