Power Shift: APC position inconsistent with our yearnings – Kwara North Youths

Stories by Mumini Abdulkareem

Youths across the five local governments in Kwara North senatorial district have challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replicate the pact on power shift signed with the region by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to produce the next governor of the state in 2023 if the party has the interest of the people in mind.

The pact was facilitated by Senate President and national leader of the PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki and witnessed by first class traditional rulers from the region which was also endorsed by the Emir of Ilorin and chairman of Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Other positions that the PDP also ceded to Kwara North in the pact include the Speakership of the state House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Vice Chancellorship of Kwara State University, Malete, the youths noted.

At a crowded press conference on Monday held at the Kwara State Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the youth reiterated their unalloyed support and loyalty for the Senate President and Saraki dynasty even as they said the PDP has demonstrated foresight and sincerity with the pact.

They expressed support for the pact and called on the people to give bloc vote and utmost support to the PDP in the forthcoming election.

Spokesman for the youths, Engr Zaccheaus Kolo from Edu, who was supported by Prince Haliru Dantsoho, Ndanusa Kara and Dr Ndaaba Manzuma, lamented that most of those who now opposed the deal were beneficiaries of various political opportunities under the leadership of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

According to him, the people will not support APC as the pact with the PDP will immediately shift power to Kwara north in 2023.

He added that the nine front line monarchs from the zone have directed their subjects to vote for the PDP in the coming elections, saying that “any bonafide indigenes of Edu, Patigi, Baruten, Moro and Kaiama local governments is duty bound to take to the instruction of the revered traditional rulers.

He said APC and its leader do not have any plan for Kwara North aside empty promises and receive directives from a Lagos State politician whose sole intension is to annex Kwara State. He pointed out that the pact is already binding on all genuine stakeholders in the zone.

‘The APC leaders once drank from the same water glass of the Saraki dynasty, why are they denying now when it’s our turn.

“Because the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki now told them to allow younger elements to also have the opportunity they too had enjoyed, they are now crying foul.

‘If the APC cares about the empowerment and continued inclusion of the people of Kwara North, let them sign the same agreement that the PDP has graciously signed. Let them tell us that their party is ready, willing and able to commit to serve only one term, and zone power to Kwara North in 2023.

‘We challenge the position of the APC stakeholders in Kwara North. Senator Ahmed Muhammed, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, Hon Al-Hassan Ibrahim Bagidi, chief Wole Oke and Hon Yissa Ezekiel, all signatories to the press conference castigating the pact have presented a position that is inconsistent with the yearning of the Kwara North people.

‘It is laughable that Senator Muhammed who appropriated the slot of Special Assistant on Youth to his biological son can deprive other young people of the region leadership.

‘It is entirely disturbing that Alahji Ndakene who replaced the original name submitted for the House of Representatives with his biological son can emulate Senate Muhammed.

‘Many of these people have been ministers, senators, honourable members, federal commissioners among  other elective and appointive positions. We ask them what they have done for Kwara North and how many people they employed while in those positions.

‘The monarchs are both our spirit and traditional rulers and what they say is binding on all bonafide indigenes of the areas. We hold them in high esteem and they have never misled us.

“We, the youths have decided to take charge of our affairs. Therefore, we want to assure leaders of the PDP in the state that we shall deliver bloc votes for the party during the February 16 and March 2 generation elections in the state.”