From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara State, has resumed its statewide “thank you” tour, with the party’s candidates, visiting Asa and Ilorin West local government areas of the Kwara Central Senatorial District to appreciate stakeholders and rally support ahead of the 2027 elections.
The tour, led by the APC governorship candidate and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, resumed on Saturday after the candidates concluded the Southern Senatorial District leg of the exercise.
The team first visited Afon, headquarters of Asa Local Government, before proceeding to Ilorin West, where they were received by traditional rulers, government officials, religious leaders, party stakeholders and supporters.
Related News
Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Ilorin during the visit to Ilorin West, Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Abubakar Atolagbe Jos, described the visit as a demonstration of respect for the traditional institution.
He said the Emir had directed traditional title holders in Ilorin West to receive the APC candidates, while praying for their success at the polls.
“When we heard you were coming to Ilorin West, the Emir of Ilorin, under whom this local government is, mandated us to receive you. You are being received here this afternoon by Magajis, Alanguas and Daudus in Ilorin West Local Government as instructed by the Emir,” he said.
“As you have said that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Sardauna Ngeri asked you to come to us, we are happy to receive you and we pray Almighty Allah to protect and grant you victory. I also pray for the successful completion of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.”
In Asa Local Government, the District Head of Balah, Alhaji Kolapo Abdulkadir, led other district heads and community leaders in receiving the APC team and prayed for the success of Danladi and other party candidates.
He also pledged massive support and votes for the APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Responding, Danladi thanked the traditional rulers, religious leaders, party leaders and other stakeholders for their continued support, expressing confidence that the backing would translate into victory for the party.
The Speaker also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what he described as efforts to stabilise the country, expressing optimism that the president would secure a second term to consolidate his administration’s programmes.
“The President has done a lot and by His grace, the second term is assured for continuity of progress and development,” Danladi said.
He added: “We are here to thank the people of Ilorin West. That is the purpose of coming here today. We are here to reassure you that, by His grace, as you stand for APC, we are going to win.
“In this hall are youths, women and elders. We have who is who in Ilorin West Local Government here. We thank you for standing by us. I want to reassure you that you will not be disappointed as far as APC is concerned.
“You already know what your son, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has done for Ilorin West and Kwara State in general. What he is doing will never stop. You will not be disappointed for having SYD.”
The member of the House of Representatives and APC candidate for Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Hon. Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya, said he was confident that all the party’s candidates would emerge victorious in 2027.
Shagaya said Kwarans would not want to return to what he described as the past, urging residents to continue supporting the APC administration.
The Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority and an indigene of Asa, Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa, said the achievements recorded by the AbdulRazaq administration would not have been possible without adequate support from the legislative arm of government.
Describing Danladi as a grassroots politician with electoral value, Alakawa commended him for providing the governor with the necessary legislative backing to implement his programmes and policies.
The Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, also highlighted projects and programmes executed by the AbdulRazaq administration in Asa, particularly in education, roads, healthcare and social investment.
A party elder in Asa, Alhaji Issa Amasa, who described Danladi as a man of integrity, humility and competence, urged him to remain accessible to the people if elected governor.
Meanwhile, an aide to Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Engr. Jimoh Olarenwaju, appealed to aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords and work collectively for the success of the APC.
Ajani said party politics required commitment, dedication and loyalty to the party’s leadership and its ideals.
“Party politics is about dedication, commitment and absolute loyalty to the leadership of the party. That is what we believe an average politician should possess. In APC, we accept all our candidates as produced from the primaries.”
The APC candidates were accompanied by members of the Kwara State House of Assembly and several party leaders and chieftains.
In Ilorin West, the team was hosted by the Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau; Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. AbdulRahman Ladan; Alhaji Mustapha Kobe; Dr Ghali Alaya; Hon. Bamidele Aluko; Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah; Alhaji Ibrahim Danmeigoro; Engr. AbdulRahman Giwa and various support groups.
