Date: 2012-08-15

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has dispelled rumours of a rift between him and his predecessor, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as a lie propagated by the opposition in a futile attempt to cause disaffection between the two ahead of the 2015 elections in the state.

Ahmed, in a statement issued in Ilorin by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede, stressed that the relationship between him and Saraki, rather than wane, remains cordial and strong based on a historical association and a shared vision of a prosperous Kwara State, dismissing the speculated dispute as a figment of the opposition's imagination.

"Ours is a unique partnership based on mutual respect, which grows stronger daily due to our long history and standing commitment to making Kwara a model for other states in terms of economic growth and prosperity for the people. We are like a tag-team in which we are pulling our strengths together in a determined effort to build a greater Kwara for the benefit of posterity. Senator Saraki is a man for whom I retain the highest regard and I am happy to state that the feeling is reciprocal", said Ahmed who served as commissioner for seven years during Saraki's tenure as governor.

Describing his administration as a government of continuity, the governor said the situation in Kwara was unique due to the peaceful transition from the previous administration to the current one, adding that his decision to up scale the laudable programs initiated by his predecessor was an eloquent testimony to the benefits of continuity. This continuity, he said, continues to elude other states in the country and remains the bane of sustained development in Nigeria.

Stressing that 2015 is still far off, Governor Ahmed stated that he remains focused on economically empowering Kwarans and growing the state's economy through his administration's robust Shared Prosperity Program.

He restated his determination not to be distracted by the antics of the feeble opposition in the state, and called on the people of Kwara State, at home and abroad, to ignore the parties' antics, which he said are designed to sow seeds of discord between him and his predecessor.

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