By SAKA Laaro, Ilorin
Members of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara state on Saturday adopted consensus arrangements that took place in all the the 193 wards across the state.
It was also gathered that members of two tendencies of the party in the state are having parallel ward congresses at designated venues for the exercise.
The exercise that witnessed a large turnout of party faithful in many centres visited, saw members of each of the tendencies taking part separately under a peaceful atmosphere.
It was also gathered that representatives of the national caretaker committee witnessed the exercise in various centres in line with the law, just as party loyalists, INEC officials, APC representatives from Abuja, lawmakers and government appointees participated.
It was also gathered that there was presence of security operatives in almost all the venues of the exercise, as men and officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Police were around to maintain law and order.
Interesting feature of the exercise, according to investigation, was heavy presence of women, who included young and old, which many stakeholders attributed to mobilization and performance of the present government in the state.
Speaking with journalists at Ibagun ward, Okelele area of Ilorin East local government, Special Adviser on Strategy to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Mallam Sa’ad Salawudeen, said that the state chapter of the APC in line with directive of national caretaker committee and that of the state governor adopted consensus arrangements for all the candidates in 193 wards in the exercise after stakeholders forum on Friday.
He also said that the large turnout was in appreciation of the governor’s exemplary.
“In our ward, Ibagun ward, Okelele, Ilorin East local government we did affirmation of all the names in our list that we unanimously adopted. There was no disagreement. This is a clear indication to all that APC members are in support of the governor. The congress had taken place without any hitch or disagreement. We’re unanimous in our support.”
A chieftain of the APC at Adewole ward in the Ilorin West local government area, Isiaka Olorundare, attested to peaceful conduct of the exercise, saying, “no dissident voice as we agreed to adopt consensus arrangements.”