Date: 2019-03-28

Kwara State governor-elect, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday assured the people of the state that he will run an all-inclusive government.

He promised to carry members of the opposition along in his government.

AbdulRazaq spoke with newsmen after receiving his certificate of return as the governor-elect at the office of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)in Ilorin.

He said that "this state belongs to all. We don't see anybody as opposition. It is Kwara for all. All hands must be on deck (to rebuild the state). This is a poor state and a lot of work has to be done. We will embrace everybody".

The governor elect, who said that the new administration has a lot to do to get the state back on its feet, called on all Kwarans to support his government once he is inaugurated in the coming months.

"When you record a winning margin of 75% as we did, it means that even those on the side of PDP voted for us. So we are going to ensure that we all work together. We are not going to label anybody. There are good people on the other side too," he said.

"Our members will also be taken care of and our priority will be to rebuild our state. We need to get everyone together for the task ahead and move our state forward. We have a big task ahead of us but we will surmount the challenges ahead by the grace of God. Once again, we thank everyone who took part in the elections - either as officials or as voters."

AbdulRazaq also commended the electoral body, the security agencies and the voters for their patriotic roles while the exercise lasted.

He rated the elections in Kwara as the most peaceful and orderly, commending the security agencies for checkmating thuggery and potential violence in the state.

"I like to thank the INEC for providing a level playing field for all in the election. The election in Kwara was the best I have ever seen so far. The INEC was fair to all. I remember that we had many complaints... but at the end of the day they were fair to all," AbdulRazaq said.

"As for the security agencies, I'm lost for words. This is the first election in this republic that no shot was fired by thugs and hooligans. We now see that with the right support, the security agencies can deliver on their mandate. When we are sworn in, we'll give the right support to the security agencies to make sure that the state is secure. If you have a secure environment, you will have the right kind of investments. We'll make sure things are done properly", he said.

Also speaking, a national INEC commissioner at the event, Mohammed Haruna, who commended peaceful nature of the election, advised the new administration to emulate political maturity of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who he said on behalf of all others that lost in the election, said that the winners are not his enemies.

The INEC boss, said that the governor-elect should not see members of the opposition as his enemies.

He also urged the opposition to criticise constructively, saying that, "you should criticise the speech, but respect the speaker."