Date: 2021-01-18

Supporters of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, under the aegis of Concerned APC Youth Stakeholders, on Sunday, held a joint prayer session to seek divine intervention to end the crisis bedeviling the party.

The prayer session was held at the state APC Secretariat, Ilorin, with Pastor Benjamin Adekunle leading the Christian prayers while Mallam Amidu Jimoh, did the same for Muslims.

The prayer warriors asked God to intervene in the crisis and restore peace within the party's rank and file.

Meanwhile, the crisis of confidence among members of the party worsened as chairmen in the 193 wards announced their preferences.

While some declared support for the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-backed Abdullahi Samari-led State Caretaker Committee, others declared support for the former state chairman of the party, Bashir Bolarinwa.

A group of ward chairmen loyal to the governor, at a media briefing in Ilorin, on Sunday, hailed Samari's appointment as state caretaker chairman as a step in the right direction.

Chairman of the group, Habib Lawal said the removal of Bashir Bolairnwa, "marks a new dawn for Kwara state APC and offers the party an opportunity to reunite and focus effectively in support of the governor to sustain the delivery of dividends of good governance to the people of the state."

Lawal, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of about 141 ward chairmen, further said, "Our resolve to avail ourselves for the continued service of APC and the governor is not negotiable as we believe this collaboration is in the best interest of all Kwarans.

"We commend Governor Abdulrazaq for upholding the integrity of the APC by delivering efficiently on the manifesto we promised Kwara people when we campaigned on the 'otoge' mantra."

However, another group claiming to be representative of the authentic Kwara APC caretaker chairmen, dismissed Lawal as an impostor, adding that he is claiming to occupy a position alien to the APC constitution.

? Spokesperson for the group, Abubakar Kannike who equally claimed to be speaking on behalf of 114 Ward Chairmen said, "We use this opportunity to state that we will never recognize anyone as state caretaker chairman of APC in Kwara state except Bolarinwa who was the one that administered the oath of office to all of irrespective of the tendencies of our party which we belong.

"We recognize Abdullahi Samari, in the capacity of deputy caretaker chairman for which he was sworn into office by the same Bashir Bolarinwa.

"On this note, let us make it clear that the mandate given to us by the national executive council of APC is clear. Thus, we will not tolerate any attempt to undermine or usurp our authorities anymore.

"The only body capable of effecting any changes by the party's constitution remains the party convention and as things stand, that body is yet to be constituted."