The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday January 19th, officially kicked off its campaign for the 2015 general election in an event having ALL Kwara PDP Chieftains and stakeholders in attendance at the Arca Santa event centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Party leaders, executive members, former governorship aspirants, chieftains and supporters had on Friday and Sunday held special prayers for a peaceful and successful electoral process in the state and the Nation at large. Speaking at the prayer, one of the governorship aspirants, Lawal who is the son of a former Governor of the state, late Mohammed Lawal said the party was confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, saying, “Whatever you begin with prayer definitely, success is assured.”

The State campaign committee under the guidance of the State party chairman was inaugurated and members were charged to begin work immediately. Recounting events leading up to the inauguration, the State Chairman Akogun Oyedepo said after the exit and decision of Bukola Saraki and his followers to leave the umbrella party to become sweepers in APC, PDP in Kwara state has successfully rebuilt a formidable, all inclusive and truly democratic party capable of delivering real change and freedom for the people of Kwara. Akogun Oyedepo, stressed the need for all PDP supporters, Stakeholders and supporters of Freedom in Kwara state to fully support and back the candidacy of the party’s Presidential, Gubernatorial, National and House of Assembly candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The inauguration had in attendance the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, prominent businesswoman and PDP chieftain Hajia Bola Shagaya, former governorship aspirants, Deacon John Dara, Prof Oba Abdulraheem, Architect Kale Belgore, Alh. Jani Ibrahim, Senator Suleiman Ajadi, Hon Bio Ibrahim, Alh Abdullahi Sanusi Kaiama, the state Chairman and all State executive members, pioneer PDP Chairman in the state, Barrister Kunle Sulyman, all party candidates at the forthcoming election to mention a few.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of National Planning Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman said the governorship election was not about religion, but freedom. He therefore urged all major stakeholders to support Goodluck Jonathan, Sen Ajibola and PDP at all levels. Suleiman said the PDP was prepared to wrest power from the APC in the state. “We are going to match APC in the state money for money; tactics for tactics and might for might,” he said.

The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State for the next month general elections, Senator Simeon Ajibola in his remark mapped out four-point agenda aimed to improve socio economic development of people of the state, if voted in next general elections. The governorship candidate highlighted the programmes to include socio-political reform, human resources development, infrastructure and economic development programmes. He said the campaign committee, headed by former governorship aspirant of the party, Deacon John Dara, should encourage and ensure members of the party work hard for the success of the PDP in the state.

The PDP governorship candidate also said that the social political reform would feature local government autonomy and accountability, adding that it would include civil service reform and improved service delivery. “It would also address the issue of equity and social justice for all in Kwara State,” he said. In addition he listed human resources development as his biggest asset saying, “We must make our people healthy, well educated and well cared for through welfare services.”

Ajibola deplored the alleged misrule in the state, adding that the PDP would provide a good alternative and good governance in the state if voted into power. He urged Nigerians to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming election. He said the goal was achievable if every member of the party works hard for victory.

He described the coming election as a viable opportunity for people who wanted a change in the way things were being done and appealed to members of the state campaign committee to ensure the party wins at every polling unit.

Ajibola also appealed to aggrieved members of the party to put aside their grievances in the interest of the party and asked members to ensure genuine reconciliation to empower the party to win.