The senatorial election in Kwara central was one of the most anticipated in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

The election had 11 contenders jostling for arguably the most prized Senate seat in Kwara state but at the end, Mallam Saliu Mustapha polled 109, 823 votes, while other candidates scored a combined total of 95,315 votes.

The combined votes of the 10 other candidates is approximately 87% of the number of valid votes of Senator-elect Mustapha, a yawning gap of 14, 508 votes.

In other words, even if votes of others were added to any candidate's, none had a remote chance of winning the senatorial election.

The breakdown of votes is as follows:

Mallam Saliu Mustapha (APC), 109,823 votes. Senator-Elect, Kwara Central.
Bolaji Abdulahi (PDP), 69, 202 votes.
Ridwan Salahudin Apaokagi (SDP), 13,193 votes.
Akanbi Umar Farooq (LP), 9,280 votes.
Aiyelabegan Kayode Abdul (NNPP), 1,010 votes.
AbdulRaheem Abolarin Abubakar (ADC), 698 votes.
Abdulahi Ganiyu (ADP), 471 votes.
Ismaila Akeem (AA), 435 votes.
Adepoju Davidson Adekunle (NRM), 399 votes.
Ibrahim Ganiyat Aderonke (APP), 322 votes.
Anjorin John Temitayo (APM), 306 votes.
In retrospect, it was supposed to be a tight two-horse race between Mustapha and Ex-Minister Bolaji Abdullahi who, by the way, was also a former commissioner in Kwara state.

The notion of a two-horse race had all the trappings of a Hollywood blockbuster, only this time the end was crystal clear at the beginning of the movie. This is because months before election day, it was a one-man show.

There was wild jubilation across Kwara Central when Saliu Mustapha who is also the Turaki of Ilorin declared his intention to run for the senate. Before then he was already a household name and the news of his expression of interest travelled across the district.

Having battled fellow political heavyweights comprising former Governors and serving Senators in a neck-to-neck contest for the National Chairman of the APC, there were indications that Mallam Mustapha would be a steamroller in the Senate race. The refusal of the other 10 candidates to realize this fact, is the reason why they were overshadowed during the campaign and at the polls.

Mallam Saliu Mustapha is much-loved within and outside the senatorial district. For over a decade, he touched the lives of many across demographics with his unparalleled philanthropy. It would take the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle for his opponents to erase his numerous interventions.

No other candidate had campaign offices in the 4 local government areas. He opened and operated 5 campaign offices to broaden the communication channels between him and his contituents.

Asides the Saliu Mustapha Campaign Organization's headquarters, there were campaign offices in Asa, Ilorin West, South, and East buzzing with a beehive of activities.

As a thoroughbred party man, he toured all 52 wards with other APC candidates vying for seats in green chamber of the National Assembly and the Kwara State House of Assembly.

During the ward-round tour, he personally canvassed support for Yinka Aluko Esho- Ilorin East/West federal constituency, Muktar Tolani Shagaya – Asa/ Ilorin West federal constituency, Fatimoh Arinola Lawal, Maryam Yusuf Aladi – Ilorin South constituency, Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu – Owode Onire constituency, Tundun Alanamu – Alanamu constituency, Yunus Oniboki, and Barrister Oba Magaji – Magaji Geri constituency.

A traditional title holder in the higher branches of Ilorin Emirate, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin, didn't take the district heads for granted. He personally visited them in their domains, to seek their blessings and their support.

He also reached out, and presented his strategic vision for the senatorial district, to varying associations and ethnic groups, pledging his commitment to the growth and development of Kwara Central.

Curiously, despite being the most popular candidate, most trusted and beloved, Mallam Mustapha was in the trenches up until 24 hours before election day.

He not only worked hard for his eventual emergence, he worked smart and was strategic in his approach to politicking and electioneering.

In any human endeavour, you get in return what you put into it. Mustapha got what he deserved, a seat in the 10th Senate. And the rest, they say, is history!

Bashar AbdulWaheed,
Ilorin, Kwara state
basharbranding@gmail.com