By Hammed Shittu
Ahead of 2023, a pressure group agitating for power shift, Kwara North Stakeholders Forum, have screened eight potential governorship aspirants from the zone in order to pick acceptable candidate that will fly the governorship ticket for the next election in Kwara State.
The Kwara north senatorial district consists of the people of Moro, Kaiama, Edu, Baruten, and Patigi local government areas of the state and they have been agitating for power shift in the next general election.
The affected governorship aspirants from the zone that appeared for screening include Hon. Zakari Muhammad from (Baruten LGA), Alhaji Abdulkadir Audu Makama from (Edu LGA), Hon. Ahman Aliyu Patigi from (Patigi LGA) and Alhaji Shuaib Yaman Abdullahi from (Edu LGA)
Others are Hon. Isa Bawa Adamu from (Kaiama LGA), Prof Yisa Gana from (Patigi LGA), Mr. Abdullah Alikinla from (Moro LGA) and Alhaji Abubakar Musa Samaki from (Kaiama LGA).
THISDAY checks revealed that, the affected aspirants cut across the political parties in the state especially in opposition PDP and the ruling APC.
They are also from northern part of the state.
The development according to THISDAY checks might not be unconnected with the current agitations from the Kwara north senatorial zone for power shift in 2023.
However, in order to ensure acceptable candidate emerged from the among the aspirants, a group, Kwara North Stakeholders Consultative Forum held a meeting with aspirants so as to discuss how the acceptable candidate would emerge devoid of any rancour.
The meeting, it was learnt, was held in Hajo Suite, Agba road, G.R.A, Ilorin over the weekend and was well attended by the aspirants.
Sources close to the meeting told journalists that, the governorship aspirants were said to have signed undertakings and made a decision to accept whoever emerges as the candidate. Such candidate, it was agreed will be accepted by other aspirants, and they will work as a team for Kwara North’s interest.
THISDAY further checks revealed that, their decision would soon be tabled before the leadership of the party so as to pick the acceptable candidate for the zone.
Meanwhile, speaking at the special meeting with the aspirants, the leader of the forum, Comrade Abdullahi Lade lauded the people of Kwara north for coming together to pursue common interest despite their political parties affiliations, religion and tribal differences.
Lade advised the governorship aspirants from the zone to continue to work as a team so as to achieve the common goal come 2023.
He said that, “What is happening today in Kwara North is beyond our imagination, it is only Allah that can do such wonders.
“That people of Kwara North from all nooks and crannies, devoid of tribe, religion, and political affiliation are willingly sitting together in love and trust discussing a common destiny for the land and its people,it is to say the least historic”
Lade added that ,”Kwara North region is not in competition or unhealthy rivalry with other two regions,that the three regions are one big family”.
He however described the demand for power shift as a legitimate and humble one that is based on the tenet of justice, equity and fairness.
