Date: 2014-09-02

Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have urged former Governor Bukola Saraki to join the presidential race. They also assured the party’s national leadership of victory in the state in the next year’s governorship election.

The stakeholders, who converged on Laduba, Asa Local Government Area, for a special prayer session for Senator Saraki and Governor Abdufatah Ahmed, urged the two leaders to foster unity in the fold.. The programme was organised by elders from seven wards constituting the local government.

Kwara Central APC Chairman Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina said the APC is the party to beat in next year’s poll.

He said: “The difference is clear because the state is the home of peace and hospitality. We are not perturbed at all because we have the backing of the people. In Kwara State, over 90 percent of the electorate are behind the APC.

“As part of preparations for the elections, we have sensitised our people to come out enmasse to collect their permanent voter’s cards. Those are our weapons of elections and on the days of election, they should come out to cast their votes for candidates of their choice. And our choice will be our leader’s choice. “

Adeshina added: “We are gathered here to offer special prayers for our leader, Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for God to meet their hearts’ desires. Specifically, we want to pray for Senator Saraki to achieve his ambition of becoming the next President of Nigeria  in 2015. The three senatorial districts have endorsed his presidential ambition.  Before one embarks on any adventure, it is wise to put it into the hands of God to take absolute control.

“We are also praying for our governor for his loyalty to Senator Bukola Saraki; his achievements in office and successful completion of his tenure in office. We are praying that God should catapult him to him levels. I urge all Kwarans to eschew violence and thuggery before, during and after the elections as Kwara State is known for peace. That is the major reason why this administration is aggressively tackling youth unemployment. Recently the administration gave jobs to no less than 5,00 youths in the state.”

The chieftain also endorsed the governor for a second term. He said: “The clamour for another term for the governor is not misplaced at all. If people root for somebody that performs excellently in office and he is very loyal to the leader to be given another chance, I think that is in order.

“However, we have not met to deliberate on that issue and that is part of the reason we have converged here to offer special prayers for him for soft-landing in office and for him to get to the next level. At the appropriate time, party chieftains will put heads together with our leader on the next line of action. Our leader is a listening one. He does not take unilateral decisions. When we get to bridge, we shall cross it.”