The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has urged all stakeholders to adhere to the rules and avoid actions that could destabilise the state, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 21st September 2024.

The State Chairman of the party, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, made this appeal during a media engagement on Monday, marking the 5th anniversary of the AbdulRazaq-led APC administration. The event was held at the party’s state secretariat in GRA, Ilorin.

He said,’ As we look forward to the local government election on September 21, we call on all stakeholders to play by the rules and avoid any action that may heat up the polity because this is the only state that we have.”

The party also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his good and peaceful politics, respect and support for traditional and religious institutions, and for helping to stem the tide of political thuggery in the state.

Fagbemi said,”We are proud to say the new mandate given to our party across the lines is being justified, as it is evident in the avalanche of superlative programmes and projects dotting every corner of Kwara today.

“We are delighted that his dream for urban renewal and economic expansion is now being seen in the Tanke and Unity flyovers, Wahab Folawiyo road, Ahmadu Bello way, Ilorin Innovation Hub, Garment Factory, Shea butter factory, industrial park, agroprocessing and other agricultural programmes to support food security, International Conference Centre, Visual Arts Centre, Sugar Film Factory, transformative education projects and programmes, numerous completed and ongoing urban and rural road projects spanning thousands of kilometers across the state, among others as our deserved reality.”

Kwara APC also noted that history will remember AbdulRazaq as a transformational leader who rose above personal and partisan interests to take bold decisions and pushed through progressive agenda for the growth and development of the state.

“In decades to come, Kwarans will remember Governor AbdulRazaq as a leader who restored the glory of the past, gave workers their due at the right time, catered for the weak and vulnerable segments of the society, empowered women and the youths, worked to keep the gains of today and prepared for the future.

“You may recall the launching of Ilorin City MasterPlan two years ago. The groundbreaking of the 25,000 hectares Ilorin Smart City is near, promising a new chapter in the history of the state. It is a fulfilment of the promise of our party for sustainable development and reducing housing deficits by providing a platform for public and private sector collaboration for a mix of affordable and luxury housing scheme for the citizens.”he added.

The APC chairman also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued support and collaboration with the Kwara State Government to ensure that the administration delivers on its promises of improved quality of life, inclusive growth, and sustainable development to the people.

He said,”Owing to the efforts of our working Governor, Kwara has also recorded massive infrastructural gains from the APC-led federal government. The state has since got approval for the construction of four major roads under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. The roads include Kosubosu–Kaiama–Bode Saadu (128km); Bacita-Shonga-Lafiagi (74.3km); Eiyenkorin–Afon–Offa–Odo Otin (42.5km); and Okuta–Bokuro (37km). Similarly, Kishi Kaiama Tese Road has recently been approved for construction by the Federal Executive Council,” according to the party chairman.

“We are also proud of all our elected and appointed representatives at all levels for their efforts to bring democratic dividends to our people. We thank them for working with our hard working Governor who is the leader of our team. We urge them to keep it up and to do a lot more to complement what the Governor is doing.”

Fagbemi also appreciated members and leaders of the party across every community in Kwara State, particularly members of the State Working Committee for the wonderful job that they do and their support for the state government under the Governor and for the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He added: “In the last elections, Kwarans resolved to reward the remarkable performance of the Governor with a new mandate to ensure the continuity of inclusive governance and sustainable development for the people and state as was witnessed in the first four years. Our party also won the presidential election, including the 3 senatorial seats, six House of Representatives, and all the 24 seats in the State Assembly.

“Our party has won 100% in our elections not because we are perfect. We won all our elections because we are obviously pro-masses, we develop every part of the state, we are responsive to the yearnings of the people, and we empathize with the people within the resources available to the state.

“Even at that, our party has been conscious of the need to create a balance between creating economic opportunities for the people and allowing activities and unregulated growth that may jeopardize urban planning and development and ultimately hurt the people in different ways, including security breaches.

“We are proud to say the new mandate given to our party across the lines is being justified, as it is evident in the avalanche of superlative programmes and projects dotting every corner of Kwara today.

“Kwara’s basic education has continued its rise from the ashes to the zenith of excellence. Aided by our flagship educational policy KwaraLEARN, our schoolchildren have won national laurels and represented Nigeria at a global competition for the second time running. It underscores the significant progress we are recording in the basic education sector in our state.’he said .

He further said that”In the last year, AbdulRazaq laid a solid foundation to make Kwara a major medical hub in Nigeria. First, he facilitated the construction of the first cancer treatment centre in the whole of North Central Nigeria funded by AbdulSamad Rabiu Foundation, and then got federal government to approve a comprehensive upgrade of the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre.