Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the victory that the All Progressives Congress recorded in Saturday’s polls underscored the desire of the citizens to continue along the path of positive progress that Kwara has recorded over the past three years.

The governor reacted to his victory in the just-concluded governorship election in a statement on Monday signed by Rafiu Ajakaye, his chief press secretary.

The governor, who pledged to do more for the people, said he would consolidate on the gains of his first tenure.

Abdulrazaq said, “For me, the victory is a call to consolidate on, and further spread the gains of the past three and half years and do much more for the people. I pledge to recommit myself to this.

“Together, we will build a Kwara whose politics will be anchored on giving equitable opportunities to all, expanding the state’s economic base, and delivering dividends of democracy to the citizenry in an atmosphere of peace and respect for the dignity of the human person.

“This victory is truly humbling, and we give all glory to God who has made this happen. It speaks to our people’s understanding of our history, their appreciation of the progress made between yesterday and today, and their commitment to a greater tomorrow.

“It reflects the wishes of Kwarans at home and in diaspora to sustain the gains of the past three and half years. It means they appreciate our modest efforts to improve the lot of our state”, the Governor said.

He continued, “My profound appreciation goes to all the stakeholders for the truly pan-Kwara mandate; young or old, men and women, traditional and religious institutions, civil servants, private sector players, thoughts leaders, political leaders, market men and women, artisans, the media, students, and our young ones who energised our communities with that sweet, creative chant of ‘Maa se lo’.

“I dedicate this election victory to God and to the people of our state — in the north, south, and central. They have shown once again that power resides with the people. Finally, I commend the peaceful conduct of the election, and especially congratulate the security agencies, the electoral umpire, and the political elites for jointly making Kwara polls the most peaceful in Nigeria.”

In his reaction, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, described the party’s victory in the election as a reflection of the love the people have for the party in the state.

“This victory is a reflection of the people’s love for the APC and reaffirmation of the mandate given to the party during the popular ‘Otoge’ (Enough is Enough) movement in 2019. The movement marked a turning point in Kwara politics and led to the defeat of the then ruling party in the state.

“The victory of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is seen as a major boost for the APC in Kwara State, which has been the stronghold of the opposition PDP for over two decades. The election result is expected to further consolidate the APC’s hold on the state and pave the way for more development projects and initiatives that will benefit the people of the state.

“I want to assure that the party would work tirelessly to fulfill its promises to the people of the state and bring about positive change in all sectors of the economy of the state.

“I commend the people of the state for standing by our party and its candidates, especially AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, despite opposition elements. This victory was not just for the APC but for the people of Kwara State.

“I thank the Independent National Electoral Commission for the efficient conduct of the election, which was an improvement over previous elections. I also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, union leaders, and leaders of various associations, professional groups, and market associations for their roles in ensuring that the state remained peaceful during and after the election. Kwarans are the real winners of this election.

“I also praise the APC campaign team, led by the energetic youth leader Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, and all members of the team for their tremendous efforts that made a difference. Their efforts would be long-remembered by the state,” he said.