Former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the banner of Kwara Solidarity Movement (KSM) have dismissed the party as a major opposition in Kwara State, declaring that the party may not be on the ballot for the 2027 general elections.
The Ex-PDP members, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2023, cautioned citizens of Kwara not to be deceived with the antics of their former party.
Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin on today, the State Coordinator of KSM, Architect Lamidi Akanbi, urged aggrieved stakeholders and members of the APC to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.
Akanbi, popularly referred to as Lamak, pledged the group’s commitment to the success of the ruling party’s candidates including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and others on the platform of the party.
The Group pleaded with the people of the state to rally round the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu, as APC gubernatorial flag-bearer in the state.
“Fellow Kwarans, we cannot ignore the current political situation in our dear state, most especially the aftermath of the APC primary elections. It is natural that in a contest, some members will feel aggrieved and agitated. But I say to you today and I say it boldly: the supremacy of the party remains constant. No one has conquered. It is only by the will of Almighty Allah that has prevailed at this moment.
“As true party members, we must accept the outcome in good faith and collectively join hands with all our candidates for the success of the APC in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Let us be reminded that in our PDP of yesterday, the party was supreme.
“Henceforth in APC, the supremacy of the party must be strictly adhered to if we want progress and continuous development in our dear Kwara State. At this juncture, I passionately call on all Kwarans to support the gubernatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.
“On behalf of this movement, I hereby re-confirm our membership of the APC.
We pledge our unalloyed commitment individually and collectively to the growth, unity and success of APC now and beyond 2027. We decamped for progress. We remain for progressives,” he said.
The APC chieftain, a former Senior Special Assistant to the former Governor of the state on Students Affairs, regretted that many erstwhile leaders of the party, who rose against the former state political dynasty in 2019 had returned to their vomit in light of the post primary elections.
He called on the business mogul and governorship aspirant of the ruling party, Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, to embrace the main fold of the APC for which he has been part of, acknowledging his financial support for the party.
Akanbi said, “Fellow Kwarans, let me also state this clearly, PDP may not be on the ballot, so do not be deceived. APC is the only veritable platform free of litigations that will coast to victory in 2027. It is unfortunate that some, who were landlords in APC but lost in the Primary Elections are now seeking shelter in PDP.
“It is on good record that these new tenants were the principal OTOGE opposition leaders who worked to the collapse and final burial of the PDP dynasty in 2019 and 2023 general elections. The unanswered question we must ask is where did they get it wrong?
“We at KSM acknowledge Ambassador Yahaya Seriki moral and financial support for the success of the party in recent past. He is yet to be adequately compensated with political considerations. His grievances are genuine but only Almighty God give power to who He wishes. We therefore call on all Progressive Kwarans to join us in appealing to him in the interest of oneness and unity of Kwara State which Ambassador Yahaya Seriki yearns for.
“We appeal to all warnings factions within our party to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign. Internal crisis benefits only the opposition.
“Peace is the only path to the continuous socio-economic and political development of Kwara State as vigorously pursued and largely achieved by our Leader, His Excellency Mallam Abdul Rahman AbdulRazaq.”
He announced the group’s plan to commence mobilization of the electorate for the APC’s overall victory in the forthcoming general elections.
