THE pre-election hype that heated up the political space in Kwara State in the build-up to last Saturday’s Presidential elections has no doubt receded going by the outcome of the polls.

Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election. Kwara, a state under the control of the APC had experienced some pockets of stiff politicking from the state’s chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which had hitherto relied on “the Federal might” for victory.

Although the PDP with its apparent divided house had believed it can give the APC a big challenge, many political analysts said that irrespective of those behind the party, it would be a difficult task uprooting the APC that is built on a firm political structure nurtured for over 38 years by the late scion of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki.

Dele Belgore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) and descendant of Mallam Belgore, a notable Islamic scholar in the ancient Ilorin town, Minister for National Planning, Olanrewaju Suleiman, Governorship candidate of the PDP, Simeon Ajibola, Professor Shuaib Abdulraheem, former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin, and at present, Chairman Federal Character Commission (FCC), Senator Makanjuola Ajadi Special Adviser National Assembly Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, two multi-billionaires, Bola Shagaya, and Abdulrahaman Abdulrasak, Deacon John Dara and many others, had teamed up under ‘the umbrella,’ the PDP symbol, against ‘the broom’ of the APC which at present is under the tutelage of Senator Bukola Saraki.

The popular slogan among the PDP local leaders and their supporters had been, “we are going to work hard though, the Federal will equally come to our aid to galvanize our struggle for freedom from the grip of the APC government in Kwara.” The campaign rallies were most of the times bloody and full of numerous invectives. The supporters of both parties often claim superiority over each other.

Those of the APC would claim ‘state’s might’ while their counterparts from the PDP would rely on the might of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja.  The strongest belief among pundits was that the outcome of the Presidential polls would determine what would happen at the remaining cadre of the elections.

According to former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara, Emmanuel Ayeoribe, “there will certainly be some 11th hour defections. After the Presidential elections many APC faithful will opt for the PDP if President Goodluck Jonathan wins and vice versa if it is Muhammadu Buhari. So it will make the Governorship polls very tight and highly competitive.”

At present, the PDP camp under the Chairmanship of Chief Iyiola Oyedepo is in disarray, licking the wounds of the loss at the Federal level, and yet to fully comprehend the way forward for the party ahead of April 11 gubernatorial elections. Although the party recorded victories in three of the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state and churned out a brilliant performance during the presidential elections recording a seeming unprecedented results of over 30 per cent of the total valid votes cast, it failed to win any seat at the Federal Legislative level. It was an all APC affairs at both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

While speaking with The Guardian in Ilorin, Oyedepo said the party had swung into action by holding series of meetings to enliven the spirits of its supporters in the state. Besides, he said, “we are presently reacting to the directive of the Federal Secretariat of the PDP, collating some statistics which I am not authorized to disclose to you now.”

State APC leader, Saraki said no opposition existed in the state in the true sense of the word. According to him, while reacting to a question at a press parley on whether he was willing to welcome any member of the PDP into the party considering the possibility of last minute defection, “is there any opposition in Kwara? Who are they? I don’t know them.”  Dara, an Ipe Oyun LGA of kwara born PDP chieftain said, “Many Nigerians don’t think deeply any longer.

But as for the Governorship polls, we are ready and then they will realise that we are still the PDP.” Peharps, Mike Omotosho the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) may by now be counting his blessings ahead of the election. Omotosho, an Obbo-Ayegunle born pharmacist turned politician said he may readily allow an alliance between his party and the PDP, but with a caveat that if the Governorship ticket was ceded to the LP.

Already, reactions have started pouring in from Kwara on the outcome of the Presidential polls like torrential rain with an APC chieftain, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje describing the victory of Buhari as victory for the entire Nigerians and democracy.

Baraje  said the victory is not for the APC alone but Nigeria as the most populous black country in Africa, the entire black race and democracy globally. He said, “I commend Nigerians for their steadfastness before, during and after the elections; the activities of INEC and security operatives will remain indelible in the history of democracy in the country”.

Baraje noted that Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations have spoken and have shown that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.

He specifically commended the steadfastness, courage vision and determination of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega in the conduct of the elections. The APC chieftain assured Nigerians and the International community that Nigeria under the leadership of Buhari would take the country to greater heights and fulfill all his electioneering campaign promises.

Baraje noted that this would be the first time in the political history of Nigeria where an opposition party would displace a ruling party through a democratic process. He therefore praised the statesmanship, sportsmanship and courage demonstrated by President Jonathan by congratulating the President-elect and therefore urged supporters of all other political parties in the country to follow this example so as to move the nation forward.

In the same vein, Saraki and Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed have congratulated Buhari on his victory in the presidential poll. The two leaders in separate press chats on Wednesday hailed Nigerians for using their votes to bring about a leadership with capacity to uplift the country and her people.

While Ahmed wished Buhari success “in the job of building a truly united and prosperous Nigeria”, Saraki said, “I congratulate Buhari on this historical and unprecedented victory, and urge him to view this triumph as the will of God, translated through the resilience of the people. I call on him to be magnanimous in victory and use his unique status as a statesman to reunite the country and heal whatever, crack that maybe in the political demography due to the electioneering process.

“I also congratulate President Jonathan, and the PDP, for a keenly contested race. The President has no doubt earned his place indelibly, in the history of the country. Nigerians home and abroad have spoken in an unmistakable terms that Nigeria’s unity is guaranteed and that the people’s will must remain the compass for attaining power and exercising constitutional authority.

“Undoubtedly, this victory belongs to all Nigerians and we all look forward to a more inclusive government, where all Nigerians irrespective of their party, religious or ethnic leaning will freely without hindrance contribute to the new government that will take office on May 29th, 2015.

“The election of 28th of March marks the beginning of a new chapter in our country’s democratic history. As we turn the pages, with the emergence of Buhari as our next President, I want every Nigerian to know: This is your victory.

“This is your victory because many of you have waited for a day like this, when your votes would truly matter – when your efforts would truly count. That day has finally come. We have shown that though we may disagree on the way to the road to get to the promise land we have shown that our differences will not tear us apart.

That though we are of different religion, tongues and tribe, we are first and foremost Nigerians and will remain so through thick and thin. “Nigerians, this is your victory. All those who believe in inclusive equitable and prosperous Nigeria this victory is yours.

This is the victory for all Nigerians of principle who like some of us want to see a new Nigeria where government serves not just the interest of a select few, but rather dedicated to uplifting the lots of the teeming masses irrespective of tribe, religion or party. That change has come. “This is our collective victory.

There is no victor no vanquished. Starting today; the democratic principle of “Of the people, for the people, by the people” is finally enthroned. Everyone must benefit from the dividends of democracy.

This Buhari- led APC government will ensure that this is the case. “To those Nigerians who stood in line, braved the weather, and waited behind to cast their ballots, count their votes and protect their votes, you must celebrate yourselves. You are the champions of this democracy. You are all the lifeblood of this great nation of ours.

We promise you: “Change has come! “No doubt, our nation must undergo a political recuperation process, having been torn along political, religious, and ethnic lines over the past few years. General Buhari has an enormous task cut out for him.

“Again, our work is only beginning. I reiterate: this is a new chapter – therefore, the work starts now. I enjoin every Nigerian, regardless of what divide of our numerous political divides that they stand on, to join us in working to establish a stronger, and more united Nigeria”.

In his views the Coordinator of Moslem Media Watch Group, Abdullahi Ibrahim said the result of the Presidential Election as announced by the INEC represents the verdict of the Nigerian People. According to him, “the Moslem Media Watch Group of Nigeria therefore congratulates the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory.

Nigerians must be commended as they have demonstrated patience, perseverance and commitment even in the face challenges faced by INEC during the election such as card-readers’ failure, late arrival of materials in some cases and other inadequacies. On the whole, the election is credible, free and fair. “As for party supporters from the political divides, they should take a cue from the speeches of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan by maintaining peace, law and order.

Nigerians should close ranks irrespective of religious, political and tribal differences and chart a new course to make Nigeria great again. “We commend members of the National Peace Committee under the leadership of General Abdulsalaam Abubakar for the vital roles they played in stabilizing the polity.

Commendation is also due to the Nigerian Press, Security Agencies and indeed all Nigerians for their sacrifice and commitment to better life for all Nigerians. “The ‘dawn of new era’ is here, may the Almighty Allah grant the new President and his team the wherewithal and guidance to lead the nation to success.”