Date: 2017-03-27

...okays ambassadorial appointees

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has said the local government polls will not hold in the state until the economic status of the state improves.

This is coming on the heels of calls from some quarters for the release of timetable for the LG polls. The Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ishola Balogun- Fulani told Pilot Politics last night that the state doesn't have the financial wherewithal to conduct the poll now.

He stressed that the state House of Assembly has the power to fix date for the polls, adding that the lawmakers were yet to communicate the party to the effect. He also berated those calling for the announcement of the election date, describing it as ill conceived.

He further cautioned the people from comparing the state Independent Commission (KWASIEC) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, people cannot armstring the state electoral body to release schedule for the LG polls, as INEC has its reason for releasing the 2019 general elections timetable in the first place.

The party chairman noted that the state is passing through economic challenges as a result of the current recession, adding that the situation has to improve before the election holds.

"Power and directive lies in the province of the House of Assembly, they will have to tell us when and how, also, election can't hold when the economy of the state has not improved. I think it is expedient to rather be discussing this when the state economy is at least stable," Balogun-Fulani stressed. On the ambassadorial appointees, he faulted the speculation that those from the state don't deserve the portfolio.

He said Nurudeen Muhammed and Muhammed Gana Yisa are committed party members from Kaiama and Patigi Local Government Areas respectively.

"Muhammed Yisa was the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly while Nurudeen is a member of APC Board of Trustees (BoT). He assured that the two appointees would live up to expectation and confidence reposed in them.