Fifteen Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidates who contested the 2024 Local Government Elections in Kwara State have reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and former Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, amid the recent defection of one of their former colleagues.
The candidates, in a statement signed by Mohammed Ayodeji Ismail, the 2024 PDP chairmanship candidate for Ilorin South Local Government Area, also declared their continued support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by Saraki ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The group said the defection of Musibau Esinrogunjo, who was the PDP chairmanship candidate for Ilorin West in the 2024 local government election, was an individual decision that did not reflect the position of the remaining 15 candidates.
“We have taken note of the defection of our former colleague, Comrade Musibau Esinrogunjo, who was the Ilorin West PDP chairmanship candidate in the 2024 Local Government Elections.
“While we respect his personal decision, we wish to make it clear that his defection is an individual choice and does not represent the collective position, decision, or direction of the remaining 15 PDP chairmanship candidates,” they said.
The candidates said they remained committed to the PDP and would continue to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots in preparation for the 2027 elections.
They expressed appreciation to Saraki for what they described as his “exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to the party, and continuous efforts to strengthen the PDP and advance the political interests of the people of Kwara State.”
They also thanked PDP members, stakeholders, supporters and residents of the state for their “steadfastness, patience, and commitment to the ideals” of the party.
Reaffirming their political alignment, the candidates said, “We wish to unequivocally reaffirm our loyalty to the PDP and our unreserved support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by our leader, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“We remain committed to working collectively toward the success of our party in the forthcoming general elections.”
The group further declared its support for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, as well as the party’s senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates across the state.
“In this regard, we reaffirm our support for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, as well as all PDP senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates, and candidates contesting for seats in the State House of Assembly across Kwara State,” the statement said.
The 15 candidates said their experience as former chairmanship candidates placed a responsibility on them to mobilise their supporters and consolidate the PDP’s presence at the grassroots.
“As PDP chairmanship candidates, we recognise our responsibility to mobilise our supporters, strengthen the party at the grassroots, and work diligently in our respective local government areas,” they said.
“Our collective objective is to contribute to the success of the PDP in the forthcoming elections, from the governorship election to the State House of Assembly elections.”
On former PDP chairmanship candidates for Ilorin west, Musbau Esinrogunjo’s defection, the group said it would not allow the development to undermine its collective political position.
“The decision of one individual does not diminish our collective resolve to remain in the party and work toward its success,” they said.
The candidates subsequently pledged to continue mobilising their respective constituencies for the PDP and its candidates across the state.
“We, the 15 remaining PDP chairmanship candidates, hereby reaffirm our commitment to the PDP, our loyalty to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and our support for the Rainbow Coalition and all duly recognised PDP candidates across Kwara State,” they declared.
They added: “We assure our leader, our party faithful, and the general public that we will continue to mobilise our respective constituencies and work diligently toward securing electoral victories for the PDP in our local government areas in the forthcoming general elections.”
The group also called for unity among PDP members and stakeholders, urging them to remain focused on the party’s objectives.
“At this critical moment, we call on all PDP members, supporters, stakeholders, and well-meaning citizens to remain united, focused, and committed to our common objectives,” they said.
“Our strength lies in our unity, and our progress depends on our collective efforts.”
The candidates further expressed confidence in the ability of the party to provide an alternative political direction for Kwara State, saying unity and purposeful leadership would be crucial to achieving that objective.
“We are confident that, through unity, purposeful leadership, and collective determination, we can work toward taking Kwara State to the next level of development and prosperity, by the grace of Almighty God,” they said.
The statement ended with a rallying declaration of allegiance to Saraki, the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition.
“Together, we stand with Saraki. Together, we stand with the PDP. Together, we stand with the Rainbow Coalition. Together, we work for a better Kwara State,” the candidates declared.15 PDP Chairmanship Candidates Reaffirm Loyalty to Saraki, PDP
Fifteen Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidates who contested the 2024 Local Government Elections in Kwara State have reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and former Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, amid the recent defection of one of their former colleagues.
The candidates, in a statement signed by Mohammed Ayodeji Ismail, the 2024 PDP chairmanship candidate for Ilorin South Local Government Area, also declared their continued support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by Saraki ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The group said the defection of Musibau Esinrogunjo, who was the PDP chairmanship candidate for Ilorin West in the 2024 local government election, was an individual decision that did not reflect the position of the remaining 15 candidates.
“We have taken note of the defection of our former colleague, Comrade Musibau Esinrogunjo, who was the Ilorin West PDP chairmanship candidate in the 2024 Local Government Elections.
“While we respect his personal decision, we wish to make it clear that his defection is an individual choice and does not represent the collective position, decision, or direction of the remaining 15 PDP chairmanship candidates,” they said.
The candidates said they remained committed to the PDP and would continue to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots in preparation for the 2027 elections.
They expressed appreciation to Saraki for what they described as his “exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to the party, and continuous efforts to strengthen the PDP and advance the political interests of the people of Kwara State.”
They also thanked PDP members, stakeholders, supporters and residents of the state for their “steadfastness, patience, and commitment to the ideals” of the party.
Reaffirming their political alignment, the candidates said, “We wish to unequivocally reaffirm our loyalty to the PDP and our unreserved support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by our leader, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“We remain committed to working collectively toward the success of our party in the forthcoming general elections.”
The group further declared its support for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, as well as the party’s senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates across the state.
“In this regard, we reaffirm our support for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, as well as all PDP senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates, and candidates contesting for seats in the State House of Assembly across Kwara State,” the statement said.
The 15 candidates said their experience as former chairmanship candidates placed a responsibility on them to mobilise their supporters and consolidate the PDP’s presence at the grassroots.
“As PDP chairmanship candidates, we recognise our responsibility to mobilise our supporters, strengthen the party at the grassroots, and work diligently in our respective local government areas,” they said.
“Our collective objective is to contribute to the success of the PDP in the forthcoming elections, from the governorship election to the State House of Assembly elections.”
On former PDP chairmanship candidates for Ilorin west, Musbau Esinrogunjo’s defection, the group said it would not allow the development to undermine its collective political position.
“The decision of one individual does not diminish our collective resolve to remain in the party and work toward its success,” they said.
The candidates subsequently pledged to continue mobilising their respective constituencies for the PDP and its candidates across the state.
“We, the 15 remaining PDP chairmanship candidates, hereby reaffirm our commitment to the PDP, our loyalty to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and our support for the Rainbow Coalition and all duly recognised PDP candidates across Kwara State,” they declared.
They added: “We assure our leader, our party faithful, and the general public that we will continue to mobilise our respective constituencies and work diligently toward securing electoral victories for the PDP in our local government areas in the forthcoming general elections.”
The group also called for unity among PDP members and stakeholders, urging them to remain focused on the party’s objectives.
“At this critical moment, we call on all PDP members, supporters, stakeholders, and well-meaning citizens to remain united, focused, and committed to our common objectives,” they said.
“Our strength lies in our unity, and our progress depends on our collective efforts.”
The candidates further expressed confidence in the ability of the party to provide an alternative political direction for Kwara State, saying unity and purposeful leadership would be crucial to achieving that objective.
“We are confident that, through unity, purposeful leadership, and collective determination, we can work toward taking Kwara State to the next level of development and prosperity, by the grace of Almighty God,” they said.
The statement ended with a rallying declaration of allegiance to Saraki, the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition.
“Together, we stand with Saraki. Together, we stand with the PDP. Together, we stand with the Rainbow Coalition. Together, we work for a better Kwara State,” the candidates declared.
