Hammed Shittu of ThisDay writes that the adoption of consensus as a critical tool in party politics changed it all in the just concluded state congress of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara.

After a successful outing at wards and local governments' congresses of the All Progressives Congress held in Kwara State, the members and leaders of the party converged again to elect the state executive council of the party, penultimate weekend.

The event which took place at the Government House Banquet Hall, Ilorin was well attended by the leaders of the party nationwide, especially the Senator representing Kwara Central district, Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, his deputy, Mr. Peter.

Kisra, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, Senator Muhammed Shaba Lafiaji, the six members of the party at the national assembly and a host of others.

The event commenced with the screening of 1,264 delegates across the 193 wards of the 16 local government areas with the presence of the men of the state police command and Department of State Security among others, to ensure an orderly conduct of the state congress.

After the delegates were screened, they were subsequently checked in for the election proper. Welcoming the delegates and members of the party to the congress, the outgoing interim state chairman of the party, Alhaji Isola Balogun-Fulani said "Today, we are making history in view of the large turnout of members and delegates to the state party congress.

"There is no doubt that Kwara is APC state; a state of peace and harmony due to the socio-economic development put in place by the present and immediate past administrations. Kwara State is APC state and still being controlled by political dynasty of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, which had spanned over 40 years."

He said the state has developed from a civil service state to an industrial and business destination, adding that Kwara would witness more developments at all levels of APC governments in the state. Fulani added that the Saraki dynasty has led to the winning of many elections in the state.

He commended the delegates for coming out to elect the state executive council of the party so as to move the party forward in the state. "With the election of new state executive council of the APC today in Kwara, the party will continue to move to greater heights."

In his address, the chairman of the state congress committee of the party, Alhaji Akintunde Yunus, said "Today's event marks the conclusive part of the process that commenced on the 5th of April, 2014 purposely to put in place elected party executive at the wards, local government councils and state levels as enshrined in articles 11 and 12 of our party's constitution.

"The preparations, conducts and after effects of the congresses so far had been very interesting in view of the high hospitality given to my committee and which is commendable. Dear progressives, the stage is set; we must pursue this new democratic journey courageous, religiously and rigorously.

"We must continue to strive and be resolute in achieving one man, one vote. We must continue to demand from INEC, the full adoption of a biometric system. It is the only indisputable ladder to the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria," he said.

To the newly emerged executives at the wards and local government levels and those that later emerged as state officers, he said "history will definitely have you on records as the first sets of executive of our great party.

"As leaders, we should have the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the aspirations and complain of our members.

"You will have challenges and they'll make life interesting and meaningful overcoming them. Always remember that the challenges of leadership are to be strong but not rude; be kind but not weak; be bold but not a bully; be thoughtful but not lazy; be humble but not timid and be proud but not arrogant."

Continuing, he said: "Never trade your values for the valuables. It can cause stagnation in life. Imbibe true leadership qualities and values. Accommodate and engage all in the true spirit of inclusiveness. All interest should be carried along and accommodated." Yunus, therefore, lauded the efforts of the leaders in the state for moving the party forward saying, "the development has made the party one to beat in the state".

However, the conduct of the congress was anchored by the committee secretary, Mr. Afiz Danmola as delegates from all the 16 local government areas were called local government by local government to affirm and vote for the members of the state executive that were elected by consensus in line with the party's constitution.

Representatives of INEC, SSS, Police and men of the state civil defence corps were in attendance to witness the constitution of the state executive of the party in Kwara.

After the conduct, the delegates unanimously elected the following as their new state executive members of the party in the state. The new state executive council, led by the new chairman of the party, Alhaji Isola Balogun-Fulani and new Secretary, Prince Yemi Afolayan, were returned unopposed. All other members were virtually all the officers of the interim state executive council of the party.

Speaking, Muhammed described the conduct of the congress as democratic and peaceful. He said the peaceful conduct of the congress showed the party's commitment to the tenets of democracy.

Muhammed, therefore, assured the people of the state that the party would continue to provide qualitative leadership that would bring even development to the state.

Governor Ahmed also lauded the peaceful way and manner the congress was conducted. He said the conduct showed that the party has good leaders that could hold the party together for winning elections.

Also, in his comment, leader of the party in the state, Saraki said Kwara state could only be developed by Kwara people. He advised people not to be deceived by sweet talk of some politicians in the opposition, living in and outside the state.

"It is only Kwara people that can develop Kwara State, take it to glorious height and make it an envy of other states in the federation, and not Abuja politicians. Abuja people are already busy with Abuja problems. They have nothing to offer again to you people. We know them. They always come for elections and go away after every election," he said.

He commended the delegates and all members of the party for agreeing to consensus arrangement at electing party executives and described the process as a way forward.

"We congratulate ourselves for making history in the manner the congress of the party was conducted and in a peaceful atmosphere. Many people have said it won't be possible, saying we can't achieve inclusiveness with our coming together as former PDP and ACN members.

"They thought people from other party will not get anything if we come together. This is just the beginning. We congratulate ourselves on the level of achievements we have made so far," he said.

Saraki, who challenged the new party executive members to woo more members into the APC, said they should reach out to all the wards in the state, that the APC door remained open to new members. He also charged them not be arrogant in victory because one vote is important.

With the successful conduct of the state congresses of APC and PDP in the state, the stage is now set for clash of titans over which of the two parties will control the state in 2015.