Kwara 2023: PDP Leaders Agree on Modalities for Emergence of Party’s Candidates

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Strong indications emerged over the weekend that the leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, have agreed on modalities for processing aspirants that would emerge as candidates for various positions ahead of 2023 general elections in the state.

The move, according to THISDAY checks, might not be unconnected with the move to present sellable and experienced politicians that would fly the ticket of the PDP during the period.

It was also gathered that, the move was meant to streamlining aspirants and to further strengthening the structure and the PDP family in the state.

A party source who spoke anonymously told THISDAY in Ilorin yesterday that the modalities were reached at a stakeholders meeting of the party, which was held with aspirants for both state and National Assemblies at the country home of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Ilorin.

Sources said that the leadership of the PDP considered the inclusion of women, youths between the ages of 21-35, those that came to join the party and those that have been in the party especially those with legislative experiences.

The condition agreed upon by the leadership of the party, according to the party’s sources, was meant to allow the emergence of the candidates that would be acceptable and also to give the party chance to win the next elections n

Sources added that Saraki was said to have commended the aspirants and urged them to continue to work as a team in order to ensure electoral victory of the PDP during the next elections.

THISDAY further learnt that the aspirants on the other hand were said to have lauded the leadership zeal of Saraki and pledged to work with him so as to move the party forward in the state.

However, a senior official of the party said that “we don’t want to leave any stone unturned so as to give the party opportunity to win the next elections in Kwara State.

“We want to present sellable candidates that would allow the people of the state to vote for PDP and not a candidate that would not withstand the test of time,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Saraki has advised women leaders in the party to move into various wards across the state so as to mobilise them for the next elections.

Saraki spoke when he received delegation of women groups at his residence in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the weekend.

He said the PDP has put mechanisms in place to embrace new faces, youths and most importantly, be gender friendly.

The women groups were led by the Kwara State PDP Women Leader, Ms. Risikat Abdullahi; Kwara South Senatorial woman leader, Chief Mrs Margret Abegunde, Kwara North Senatorial Women Leader, Ms. Aisha Ibrahim Kawu and the Kwara Central Senatorial Women Leader, Ms. Afusat Usman. Other members include the PDP women leaders from all the 16 LGAs in the state.

Saraki said he has noted the challenges confronting women in politics, and assured them of fairness, equity and justice in selecting the candidates of the party.

He urged them to remain steadfast and unrelenting.

Earlier, the women group had appreciated Saraki for his love and support for women inclusion.