Five governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, who have signified their intention to contest on the party's platform, have agreed that the flag-bearer should be selected through a consensus arrangement, and that whoever is chosen by the party leadership will enjoy the support of the others.

This agreement was contained in a press statement signed by Hon. Adamu Isa Bawa, State Chairman of PDP Kwara State, on Sunday evening.

The consensus among the aspirants was reached following an exhaustive meeting of gubernatorial and National Assembly aspirants, stakeholders, and party leaders held at the Maitama, Abuja, residence of the party leader, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Sunday afternoon.

At the meeting, attended by Prof. Ali Ahmad, Eng. Kale Kawu, Mr. Omar Bolaji Gambari, Alh. Ladi Hassan, and Mr Olaseni Ibiwoye, SAN all of whom have indicated interest in seeking the party's gubernatorial ticket the aspirants, in their individual speeches, expressed their readiness to accept the decision of party leaders and to work for whoever is eventually selected.

They further promised that within the next 48 hours, they would return home to inform their supporters across the state of their decision to endorse the consensus arrangement in the selection of the candidate, and to mobilise support for whoever emerges as the eventual flag-bearer.

The aspirants stated that their decision to back the consensus approach was driven by the desire to reduce friction, enable the party to present a united front, and enter the campaign period as a cohesive team.

In his reaction, Saraki thanked the party aspirants for their decision but expressed reservations about the arrangement, noting that his experience has shown that individuals often backtrack when the outcome of a consensus process does not favour them.

He said he would give further consideration to the request of the aspirants while also intensifying consultations with other party leaders and stakeholders, so that a joint, popular, and acceptable decision could be reached.