Irepodun LG: APC youths declare support for AbdulRazaq

By – Bayo Balogun

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s pro-people stance, policies, programmes and projects came to the fore at the weekend as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State gathered in Omu-Aran to express their full support for the Governor and his administration.

At the event, which was initiated by the group ‘A. A. United’ (youth wing of the All Progressives Congress with members in the eleven wards of Irepodun Local Government Area) in collaboration with other party members, leading lights of the party took turn to shower praises on Governor AbdulRazaq for his humility in the face of unwarranted provocations.

They especially applauded his strident delivery of programmes and projects that have direct impacts on the ordinary citizens of Kwara State, noting that this is the main reason why the Governor’s traducers are picking a fight.

They passed a vote of confidence on AbdulRazaq for the good deeds of his administration towards the people of Irepodun Local Government Area of the State.

They also applauded the youth for the show of support, solidarity and recognition for the series of achievements recorded since inception of the Governor’s administration.

They pledged that the people of Irepodun will continue to support the Governor so that he can deliver more dividends of good governance to the people of the State.

The ‘A.A. United’ Coordinator in the local government area, Samuel Adebayo Adeyemi said that the gathering was to lend full and give deserving recognition to the dynamic leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq.

According to him, it is through such support and cooperation with the present administration under the able leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq that the desired dividend of democracy can transverse the nooks and crannies of the council.

Adeyemi pointed out that the youth across the eleven wards of the local government had unanimously resolved that what the government needed was total support from the party, its members and the entire Kwarans to carry on its people oriented policies and programmes.

“This is why we are here gathered today to show our solidarity, support and also express our total confidence in the ability of His Excellency, Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in entrenching the desired good governance in the State.

“An adage says united we stand, divided we fall, we in ‘A.A. Irepodun’ are united in supporting the good work of our governor so that we can enjoy the dividends of democracy in our local government,” he said.

An APC elder in Irepodun, Mr Shuaib Olanrewaju said the governor had done enough and still doing more in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of the state.

He described the recent crisis in the party as a clash of personal interests on the part of some party leaders who are bent on arrogating the control of the party and the administration to themselves.

“They kept on saying they were not consulted by the governor before making appointments.

“What difference does it make if the governor decided to consult other personalities like a traditional ruler in a council where he desires to have an appointee or appointees for his government?

“After the general election of 2019 which gave APC the mandate through the ‘O to ge’ struggle, a meeting was summoned in Abuja with the governor and others in attendance.

“It is on record that the APC aspirants were reimbursed with various monetary values with the least being N20 million as a way of recouping their expenses and in a show of magnanimity for the party to move forward.

“Since the inception of his administration, the governor has been doing his best in the areas of education, health, roads, infrastructure and human capital development in fulfilment of his electoral promises.

“It is good the initiative today is coming from the youths, I want to commend them for their foresight and wisdom.

“This gathering coming at this time is very much in order; it’s not too early and not too late.

“I want to also assure you that you have spoken our minds and we are behind you and supportive of your resolve in giving deserving recognition to the governor and his entire cabinet,” he said.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner and APC stalwart in the state, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin applauded the youth for their doggedness, dedication and commitment to party’s principles and ideals.

He said the people of the state were the symbol of the ‘O to ge’ struggle which translated to the APC victory in the 2019 general election.

“Don’t let anybody deceive you, the people of Kwara are the symbol of the ‘O to ge’ struggle back then in 2019. It was never an individual or personal interest.

“It was a collective resolve to do away with bad and unpopular government and to usher in purposeful leadership as being championed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

DON’T MISS THIS – French companies to partner with Kwara in Agriculture – Official

“The Governor has been doing what he supposed to do and what is needed now is maximum support and cooperation for him to do more in bringing the desired dividends of democracy to every doorstep.

“As clearly demonstrated here today, we the people of Irepodun Local Government have spoken our minds.

“We have declared our support and loyalty to the administration and its programmes and policies,” he said.

Oloriewe Adedoyin praised the youth for following the path of progressive politics and urged them to be more united and committed in the same spirit.

He appealed to all members to turn out and mobilise others too for the APC members’ registration exercise.

Hon. Felix Omotayo Awodiji, the member representing Irepodun Constituency in the Kwara State House Assembly, affirmed that Alhaji Abdullahi Samari remains the authentic Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee in the state.

According to him, those who are nursing one grievance or the other are self centred and not representing the interest of the party or the government.

“How can a state chairman of a party go on air and start condemning the same government which his party is running?

“No human being in his right senses will tolerate or condone such acts of betrayal.

“We know our governor as somebody who doesn’t like unnecessary propaganda and who is ever ready to work with everybody in the state.

“These leaders who are bent on dividing the party are self centred and doing it not for the benefit of the party or the government, but for their own personal aggrandisement,” he said.

Awodiji urged the gathering to prioritise the party’s registration exercise in moving the party forward.

Also speaking, Princess Adebukola Babalola, the Kwara State Deputy Chief of Staff, said the women in the council are solidly in support of the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq in his quest to improve the welfare and well-being of the people of the state.

Princess Babalola said the government was very much committed to the consolidation of the gains earlier recorded since inception in terms of project execution and targeted self help initiatives across the length and breadth of the state.

“The government will continue to do its best and would not be distracted in entrenching more dividends of democracy for the overall benefit of the people of the state.

“No amount of bickering, backslide or intimidation can distract the present administration from fulfilling its promises to the people.

“I want to assure that the women in the council are ready to give necessary support to the party under Governor AbdulRazaq in achieving the desired transformation envisioned for the council and the state at large,” she said.

Babalola commended the youth for following the path of progress and for identifying with the laudable programmes and policies of the state administration.

Barrister Teju Oguntoye, an APC stalwart in the council, described the initiative by the youth as highly commendable and timely.

He called on the youth to continue to imbibe unity, tolerance, togetherness and collective responsibility in order to move the council forward.

Barrister Oguntoye advised the youth to remain steadfast, resolute and committed in giving necessary support to the party and the government under Governor AbdulRazaq, so as to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

Mr Abiola Lawal, Coordinator, Irepodun APC Youth Stakeholders, said the youth across the council were unanimous in their resolve and decision to associate with the sterling leadership qualities of Governor AbdulRazaq.

“What you are witnessing here today is a collective decision of youths in the council.

“The number of attendance would have even surpassed what you are witnessing but due to the short notice to members and more importantly the need to adhere with COVID-19 protocols.

“We are using this gathering to tell the stakeholders in our party that A.A. is our man and we will not hesitate in giving necessary support for the administration to succeed in all sectors,” he said.

Members of the Igbalajobi Cultural Group of Omu-Aran were on hand to entertain guests with melodious music and captivating dance steps.