A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Zakari Mohammed becomes the first politician to publicly declare his intention to run for governorship seat in the 2023 elections in Kwara State.
Mohammed had, while commiserating with the family of the late Justice Abdulqadri Orire who died last Tuesday, referred to himself as a gubernatorial aspirant.
A part of the condolence message, which was posted on his social media handles, reads, “A Kwara state gubernatorial aspirant and former Honourable member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Zakari Muhammed has commiserate with the kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Zuluqainani Ibrahim Gambari, the Wazirin Geri of Ilorin and former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union and the entire people of the state on the death of first grand Khadi of Kwara State, late Justice Abdulkadir Orire.”
It is the tradition of politicians to declare their ambitions, but this mostly happens at least a year to every election. As at now, many politicians across the country who are still weighing their options and considering their chances are yet to formally declare their intentions.
However, as far back as 2020, a clear three years to the 2023 elections, Zakari Mohammed had first hinted a Kwara-based newspaper, Kwara Tabloid, of his decision to contest for governorship in the next elections.