All the 12 wards in Ilorin East Local Government have benefited greatly under this administration. So, it is a thing of pride and our assurance that the incoming Governor will get our vot
By Kehinde Emmanuel, Ilorin
The Balogun Gambari of Ilorin and a member of the Ilorin Emirate Council of Kingmakers, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu Adebayo, has commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what he described as significant development across Kwara State.
Adebayo, who is the senior war-lord in the Emirate, said the AbdulRazaq administration had changed the narrative in the state through investments in infrastructure and basic services, particularly potable water, roads and healthcare.
He spoke on Sunday in Ilorin when the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state paid a thank-you visit to Ilorin East Local Government.
The delegation was led by the party’s governorship candidate and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu.
The traditional ruler said the achievements recorded by the AbdulRazaq administration had positioned Danladi to secure widespread support from residents of Ilorin East and other parts of the Emirate in the forthcoming election.
“All the 12 wards in Ilorin East Local Government have benefited greatly under this administration. So, it is a thing of pride and our assurance that the incoming Governor will get our vote. We are going to give him and other candidates of the party maximum support,” he said through the Baba-Isale of Ilorin, Alhaji Mustapha Abdullahi.
Adebayo said the traditional chiefs in Ilorin East were supporting the governor because of what he described as his commitment to the development of the council and Kwara State.
He recalled the challenges residents faced in accessing water under previous administrations, saying the situation had improved significantly under the present government.
“Are you still going about with plastic to fetch water? Before this administration, they used to supply water to various communities through water tankers. It is no longer the case,” he said.
On infrastructure, the Balogun said the expansion and rehabilitation of road networks had changed the appearance of several parts of Ilorin.
He added that the development recorded under AbdulRazaq extended beyond Ilorin East to other local government areas across the state.
“We are very much aware that this development cuts across all the local governments in Kwara State. What else are we looking for? We only need to support the man that is doing wonderful jobs,” he said.
The traditional ruler expressed confidence that Danladi would consolidate the achievements of the current administration if elected.
“We believe that SYD will consolidate on the gains of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Both Ilorin East and the entire Ilorin Emirate, we declare our support for you and we pray for your success,” he said.
The APC delegation also visited the Palace of Balogun Fulani, Alhaji Sidiq Abubakar Atiku Fulani, where the traditional ruler, Alanguas and Magajis received the candidates.
Balogun Fulani pledged his support for Danladi and other APC candidates and prayed for their success at the polls.
Similarly, the Alangua Opolo and Chairman of the Alangua and Magaji Forum in the Emirate, Alhaji Zulkarnaini AbdulRahman, expressed support for the party’s candidate.
He, however, appealed to Danladi to prioritise the welfare of village heads if elected governor.
Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, commended the traditional chiefs for their hospitality and support for the APC governorship candidate.
Salau said the testimonies by the traditional rulers reflected their appreciation of the AbdulRazaq administration’s performance and assured them that Danladi would sustain the development trajectory.
The APC delegation later moved to the M&M Event Centre in Ilorin, where the candidates and party stakeholders addressed supporters from Ilorin East and Ilorin South local government areas.
A leading APC chieftain in Ilorin East, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, urged party members to remain focused and avoid distractions ahead of the election.
Bibire said the AbdulRazaq administration had laid a strong foundation for the development of the state, arguing that Danladi’s involvement in the administration gave him the experience needed to consolidate its achievements.
“There is no reason why we should not vote for SYD because God is with us here. SYD is the right candidate. He has been very supportive of the administration, and that gives us assurance that he will not disappoint us,” he said.
In his remarks, Danladi thanked the traditional rulers, party members and stakeholders in Ilorin East and Ilorin South for their support.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.
Other dignitaries at the event included Hon. Abdulquawiy Olododo, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi, Hon. Arinola Lawal, the chairmen of Ilorin East and Ilorin South local governments, as well as party executives and other stakeholders.