Date: 2010-01-10

The immediate past Kwara State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has emerged the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) flag bearer in the April 2011 governorship election in the State.

Alhaji Ahmed, who emerged victorious at the party’s primaries held last night in Ilorin polled 695 votes to defeat two other contestants, Chief Bashir Omoloja Bolarinwa (BOB) and Alhaji Yekinni Alabi, who scored 39 and 9 votes respectively.

The Chairman of the Electoral Panel from the National Headquarters of PDP and the Chief Returning Officer for the State gubernatorial primaries, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, who declared Ahmed as the winner said a total of 749 delegates participated at the primaries while 6 votes were invalidated.

Following an earlier decision by the State chapter of the party to zone the governorship slot to Kwara South to ensure fairness, equity and unity, all aspirants from Kwara Central Senatorial District thereafter indicated their interests to withdraw from participation at the primaries.

Two aspirants from Kwara North, Senator Ahmed Mohammed and Alhaji Issa Bio Ibrahim alongside Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, Chief Theophilus Bamigboye and Engineer Sunday Babalola, all from Kwara South also followed suit by withdrawing their participation from the primaries in conformity with the party’s adopted zoning formula.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Hon. Musa Adar had appealed to the aspirants to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and assured that his committee would be transparent in the conduct of the party’s primaries.

Presenting the flag bearer to the party members shortly after his declaration, the State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, saying it was a big victory for the entire PDP family.

He expressed appreciation to the delegates and all members of the party for their commitment to the ideals of the party, noting that Nigerians were waiting to see the outcome of the exercise in the State.

By the peaceful conduct of the primary election, the governor said Kwara State has again demonstrated the lead and praised the Chairman and members of the Electoral panel for doing a thorough job.

While also commending the other co-aspirants for their maturity and spirit of sportsmanship, he called on the entire people of the State to work hard to deliver for PDP in the April 2011 gubernatorial polls.

In his acceptance speech, the PDP standard bearer for the governorship election, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed described the election that produced him as one of the most peaceful and well organized in the history of the State.

Alhaji Ahmed who was elated and full of praises to the Almighty Allah, thanked Governor Saraki for presenting them with a redefined concept of leadership directed at development, adding that his seven and half years of governance in the State had provided the people with a unique sense of direction and purpose.

While accepting his election as the party’s flag bearer in the April gubernatorial polls, he solicited the support of all party members, his co-contestants and other stakeholders to ensure the victory of the party.

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
10/01/2011