2023: Group Advocates Kwara Central Candidacy

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The PDP Victory Agenda (PVA), which is a pressure group in the Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), has called for the retention of Kwara Central Senatorial District candidacy in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The Spokesman of the PVA, Dr. Babatunde Salami, stated recently in a news conference that “the voting strength of Ilorin emirate that made up the Kwara Central Senatorial District cannot be undermined in the coming elections in view of the recent creation of more polling units across the nation by the Independent National Electoral Commission in May, 2021.”

Salami said: “The Ilorin emirate now has a total of 1,207 polling units, plus another 142 polling unit’s advantage of Moro Local Government Area in the Kwara North, which is a member of the Ilorin emirate and making a total of 1,349 units in Ilorin emirate, representing 67.6 per cent of the polling units in the two senatorial districts.

“The Kwara North has 785 polling units. Out of this, 142 polling units of Moro Local Government Area belong to the Ilorin emirate.
“Therefore, only 643 polling units belong to the Kwara North, representing 32.4 per cent of the total polling units in the two senatorial districts.

“Similarly, the electorate deserves to know why the PVA is advocating for the Kwara Central candidacy come 2023.

“It is no doubt, that Kwarans have tasted both sides of the political life, and now discovered the difference. Remember an African proverb that says ‘a man who picks gold by the roadside does not value the pains of getting it.’

“Therefore, the obnoxious policies and alleged maladministration of the present government in Kwara State is characterised with neglect of the electorate and politicians who suffered for its emergence.

“Gentlemen of the press, it is worthy to note the factors that may lead the PDP to victory come 2023 general elections in Kwara State, especially in the gubernatorial election.

“It is no longer news that the Kwara North Senatorial District has not been opportune to produce a governor in Kwara State since 1999.

“The prevailing circumstances each time is peculiar and unavoidable by the political parties. The Kwara North has men and women of political, socio-economic substance and value that can occupy the exalted seat.

“But political permutations and calculations in winning election often work against the district in the governorship selection.”

Salami noted that “as we approach the electioneering year, the preparations and permutations for 2023 is gaining momentum and political gladiators are now moving closer to the track.

“Moreover, the two prominent political parties in Kwara State have just concluded their state congresses. Thus, the agitation for Kwara North candidacy in the forthcoming governorship election is now occupying the political space in Kwara State.

“The agitators have the political right but do not consider the winning calculation at this political challenging time for the PDP in Kwara State.”

He, therefore, said that “considering the political opportunity at this critical period, the PVA suggests that the party should consider the Kwara Central candidacy to harness and utilise the opportunity of block votes from the district to the PDP’s advantage.”