Who succeeds Alhaji Abubakar Baraje as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) national chairman. The question will be answered on March 24. The process leading to the national convention started with the ward congresses on March 3. Last Saturday, in all the 774 local government areas, congresses were held to elect or return party leaders, thus preparing the way for Saturday’s state congresses. The local government congresses have shown how the state executives will emerge. Who are the strongmen in the states? Our Correspondents review the local government congresses and preview the state congresses, pointing out the state of the PDP nationwide.

IT is now one way traffic in nthe Kwara state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and this played out last weekend as party executives emerged through consensus. 

The last election had polarized the party between Senator Olusola Saraki and former Governor Bukola Saraki. However, after the victory of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, a protégé of the former governor at the poll, both camps closed ranks.

In Kwara South and North Senatorial districts, the congresses were hitch-free. From Ifelodun to Baruten, Kaiama to Irepodun, Offa to Edu and Ekiti to Patigi local government areas the congress went on smoothly. 

At the Ilorin South Local government the congress took place at Pake in the metropolis, the Chairman, Alhaji  Mohammed Adam, was unanimously returned for a second term.

The party secretary and the vice chairman in the council, Oba Suleiman and Saadu Ahmed were also returned.

The congress at Ilorin–South  was held alongside the presentation of cars to the former ward chairman of Okaka ward 1 and ii  by Lanre Daibu for exemplary leadership and performance.

The Chairman of Ilorin East, Dr  Abubakar Ishola, "this is the first time leaders  in the local government worked as a team in order to achieve the same goal."

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Alhaji Mohammed Atolagbe said the attitude of the people the congress was indicative of that their support for the new executives.

The Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Transport and Utility, Alhaji Bibire Ajape expressed confidence that the executives would further advance the cause of the party.

Also speaking, ex- chief of staff to the then Governor Bukola Saraki, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Cook-Olododo urged the new executives good representation.

He said they should imbibe the virtue transparency as exemplified by Senator Bukola Saraki.