Former governor of Kwara State and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bukola Saraki at the weekend maintained that his party is fully on ground in the state.

Saraki, who arrived Ilorin, the state capital, to a rousing welcome by supporters, dismissed last Monday's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally, where President Goodluck Jonathan led members of the party's National Working Committee to the state, saying it was "insignificant".
The former governor, who is chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, moved from the airport to the emir's palace, acknowledging cheers from supporters. 

Also on ground to receive Saraki, were chiefs from Ilorin emirate led by Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Salihu Woru, who is also the emir's spokesman.
Addressing newsmen at his residence, shortly after visiting the emir, Saraki said he was overwhelmed by the large turnout of supporters, saying his arrival was "extravagantly welcoming" and a message to PDP that Kwara is entirely for APC.
 "I think it was a reaction to the PDP rally and insinuations that were made after. People just wanted to show and let Nigerians know that what they saw before is nothing; that this is where the structure is. It was not a challenge but a message, to say this is where the people of Kwara are; these are the people we associate with; it was really a clear message," he said.

Saraki challenged Jonathan to point out Federal Government projects he sited in the state, lamenting that people of the state did not benefit from voting for him. 
"I think the theme of the rally was freedom, freedom and freedom. I asked myself freedom from what? Which freedom? Is it freedom from the government that is living by actions and not by promises? Today, Kwarans have shown that we have come too far to be disintegrated by nocturnal politicians who come at the eve of election to rob us of our mandate. Kwarans have shown that irrespective of the external aggression and gang-up to disharmonize us, we cannot be broken.

In the history of my usual periodic visit to Kwara, apparently today's arrival was extravagantly welcoming, as Kwarans came out en-masse at the airport. I'm sincerely humbled, happy and confident of your support," he said.
He added: "Importantly, I'm very glad to have walked the streets together on our feet from the airport down to the emir's palace, this is the best way I can spend the weekend with my people; truly we are united."