The Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU) in the Kwara North Senatorial District has kicked against Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar’s third term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The National President of PEDU, Salihu Bologi Umar, at a press conference in Ilorin on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over reports indicating the intention of the serving senator to seek re-election for the Kwara North Senatorial District seat.
”No to third term representation. Respect the established zoning tradition. Justice for Patigi Local Government Area. Two terms are sufficient, and Patigi turn is now.
”Kwara North belongs to all its constituent communities equally. No individual or local government area should dominate the collective political destiny of the district at the expense of fairness, balance, and democratic justice,” the group declared.
Bologi urged all political actors, stakeholders, traditional institutions, youth groups, and community leaders across Kwara North Senatorial District to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, dialogue and mutual respect in the overall interest of regional peace, political stability, and democratic sustainability.
”Any attempt to deny Patigi Emirate its rightful opportunity to produce the next senator for Kwara North may compel many stakeholders and supporters within the Emirate to reconsider their political options, and explore alternative democratic platforms capable of accommodating the legitimate aspirations of our people.
”This position is not intended as a threat, but as a sincere appeal for justice, inclusion and the preservation of political trust between the party and the people of Patigi Emirate.
”For decades, the people and political stakeholders of Kwara North Senatorial District have sustained a respected and peaceful zoning understanding founded on the principles of justice, equity, inclusion and mutual political respect,” he said.
Bologi explained that the zoning arrangement, which allows for rotational representation among the constituent local government areas after every two terms or eight years, has remained instrumental in preserving political harmony, strengthening inter-community trust, and promoting collective ownership of democratic representation within the senatorial district.
”It is on the basis of this long standing and widely acknowledged understanding that the people of Patigi Local Government Area consider it both justifiable and appropriate that the 2027 Kwara North Senatorial District mandate be ceded to Patigi local government area,” the group added.