Minister of National Planning, Dr Suleiman Olanrewaju Abubakar, has stressed the importance of unity among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State ahead of the 2015 governorship election in the state, just as he raised hope of the party's victory over the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election.

According to him, the victory of PDP in the state is not negotiable, because all PDP members and the entire people of Kwara have resolved to fight for the freedom of the state from oppressors and individuals who have held it captive since its creation in 1967.

Dr Abubakar, who spoke through his Special Assistant, Prince Mahmud Dansofo Mohammed, at the leaders' summit of the party, entitled, "vision for a New Kwara: Unveiling Post 2015 Agenda for Development and Prosperity", in Ilorin, the state capital, also said there was no rancour whatsoever among members of the party, noting that people jostling to emerge as the standard bearer of the party would work together to ensure victory for it next year.

"Our common goal is to defeat APC next year, and I want all the people of Kwara to join PDP in prayer so as to secure freedom for Kwara from those who have held it captive for years," he added.

While taking turns to speak, some of the aspirants eyeing the ticket of the party pledged their loyalty to it and said party interest was paramount to them.

The aspirants: Deacon John Dara, Engr Jani Ibrahim, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Mr Abubakar Kale Belgore, as well as Engr Sunday Babalola and Senator Gbemi Saraki, both of whom were represented at the summit, spoke of the need to save Kwara from decadence that pervades its education, agriculture, public service and other sectors, due to poor governance and leadership.