According to Nigerian Tribune, Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, expressed optimism on Saturday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would secure victory in the local government elections held across Kwara State's 16 local government areas.

Senator Mustapha stated that a victory for the APC in the polls would further encourage Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's administration to sustain its good work and continue delivering democratic dividends to the people.

The senator made this statement while speaking to journalists in Ilorin shortly after casting his vote at Ode-Kolawole polling booth 005, Gambari Ward One, in Ilorin East Local Government Area.

He noted that the good performance of the governor would manifest at the local government level and urged would-be elected chairmen at the polls not to lower the bar.

The legislator commended the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) for what he described as peaceful conduct of the elections across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Mustapha, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, said his findings showed that the elections provided an avenue for a cordial electioneering process.

“May I first of all appreciate the people and also commend the state government and the state Independent Electoral Commission for this effort that has been put in place to have a peaceful and very cordial environment for the local government elections.

“From my house down here, I discovered a very peaceful atmosphere around, a very cordial electioneering process going on, and I hope at the end of the day we will have a very victorious one for my party, APC, so that we can continue with the good work of the APC administration led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has just been conferred with the Sardauna of Ilorin, so that the good work and dividends of democracy can trickle down.

“I have always told people. For local government elections, no matter how you want to look at it, it is still the good work of the state government that will trickle down because they (elected council officials) are the people that will work and share the vision of the governor. So, that is why, for me, it is a support in total for the state government for whatever outcome has been arrived at.

“I want to thank everybody. Thank my brothers and sisters in this community. We have also observed a peaceful and cordial electioneering process. At the end of the day, it is a call to serve. I pray whoever emerges will remember that it is a call to serve the people,” the Kwara Central Senator said.

On the pocket of hiccups in some polling booths, Mustapha said, “In every election, there is bound to be complaint. But so far, so good; I'm really impressed with what has happened.”.