Date: 2021-07-05

Constituents of the Kwara North senatorial district, under the aegis of the Kwara North Stakeholders Consultative Forum, have said that there is no going back on the agitation of the area to produce the next governor in 2023.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, after a peace meeting with the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kwara Central senatorial district, led by Alhaji Oba Ajara, chairman of the forum, Alhaji Abdullahi Alliyu Lade, said that, "Already, the journey has started and we have begun consultations to politicians across all divides in the state to achieve the goal.

"The people of Kwara North senatorial district have paid their dues to the people of other two senatorial districts and this is the time they should be allowed to lead the state."

Lade, who insisted on equity, justice and fairness, noted that Kwara North is pleading for understanding from the two other senatorial districts to produce the next governor, saying that, "three stones should not throw away the soup pot.

"We don't want to be left behind in power equation. It has to do with grabbing political power. By calculation, Kwara Central got the first four years through late Mohammed Lawal, then eight years from Dr Bukola Saraki. So, the Central had 12 years and Kwara South had eight years through Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The Yorubas say three stones do not throw away pot soup. We are three in number. They should allow us in Kwara North. We realised that if we don't cry out that they should think about equity, justice and fairness and allow Kwara North to produce the next governor irrespective of party affiliation.

"If we want to talk about the party we will still have the same problem so we are bringing everyone on board. Going by the nature of Kwara politics we need to cry before others follow us and before people listen to us because it's not about population or any other considerable factor. They are stronger than us. That's why we are harping on equity, justice and fairness.

In Kwara North, we have been loyal to a fault to various governments across the political parties. They should give us what we also deserve.

"The fear of Ilorin people is about the loyalty of other people that would be brought on board for the agenda and we have assured them. We don't just approach people we talk to people in all the political parties who share our beliefs and feelings.

"The next step after this gathering is an individual approach and we have started already. I have met with Professor Shuaib AbdulRaheem and we had a useful discussion."