- 300 PDP Members Defect To APC In Ibagun Ward
By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Islamic clerics in Okelele, Ibagun Ward of Ilorin East local government area of Kwara state, have held a special prayer towards ensuring victory for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
This is just as over 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibagun ward defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors were received by the APC House of Assembly candidate for Ilorin East, Hajia Arinola Lawal, Special Adviser on Strategy, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, the APC Chairman in the Ward, Rauf Adanla and some state’s cabinet members.
The clerics, who said they organised the prayer in honour of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Strategy, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, noted that AbdulRazaq had performed creditably to get a second term of office.
The well attended prayer session was held at the premises of Government Day Secondary School Amule, Okelele, Ilorin on Saturday.
The spokesman of the organisers of the event, Ustaz Abdullahi Imam Olooto, said he and his team had been holding prayers for the success of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration since its assumption of office in 2019, “but decided to cap it up with this open and enlarged prayer involving eminent clerics from the length and breadth of Ibagun ward.”
He added: “We are holding this prayer for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in honour of our brother, the Special Adviser on Strategy, Alhaji Saadu Salahu who has proved to be a worthy son of Okelele and Ibagun ward through words and deeds.
The prayer session was led by Imam Hamzat Ayegbami, who was assisted by other notable Islamic clerics, including the Alfa Yita, Alfa Olesin, Alfa Odegbangba, Alfa Sefura, Sheikh Adama Thani, Imam Arikewuyo Ayegbami, and Alfa Aliko.
In his brief lecture, the chief Imam of Akuwo, Imam Muhammad Jamiu Ajibola Anabi, extolled the virtues of Governor AbdulRazaq, thanking him for maintaining the peace of the state by his deliberate refusal to patronise political thugs.
He also noted the governor’s giant strides in infrastructure, education, health and civil service sectors
Dignitaries that graced the event included the representative of Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq (Mutawali of Ilorin), Dr Ghali Alaaya, the representative of the AbdulRazaq’s family, Alhaji Funsho AbdulRazaq, the representative of Alangua Ibagun, Alhaji Sakariyahu Iyanda, Ag General Manager, KWASSIP, Abdulquowiy Olododo, the chairman of Ibagun Progressives Union (IPU), Alhaji Kuranga Morogun and IPU coordinator, Barr. Rafiu Ajao;Ndama Alhassan, Zonal
Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) in Minna, Niger State and an APC stalwart, Alhaji Ilyasu AbdulRahman Iponrin.
Others are the commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General, Barr. Senior Sulaiman, the APC House of Assembly candidate for Ilorin East, Hajia Arinola Lawal, chairman, Ilorin East local government area, Alhaja Ayobami Seriki, chairman, Civil Service Commission, Alhaja Habeebat Yusuf, permanent secretary in the Governor’s office, Alh Babatunde Ameen, commisssioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Afeez Abolore, special assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro and senior special assistant on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu.
Others are Mal Lukman Saadu, Focal Person for N- SIP in Kwara State, Dr Rabiat Shehu- Jimoh, Commissioner, FISCAL Commission, Alhaji
AbdulGaniyu Alawo,
APC women leader, Alhaja Falilat Mohammed and Regional Editor, LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin.
Ends