Ex-Speaker condemns alleged irregularities, manipulation in Kwara LG elections
The Kwara State House of Assembly 8th Speaker, who double as Professor of Constitutional Law, Prof. Ali Ahmad, has commended the performance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates in the just-concluded local government Elections held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In a statement released on Monday by his media spokesperson, Steve Makinde, Prof. Ahmad thanked the PDP flagbearers across the state’s for their peaceful conduct and commitment to salvage Kwara State away from the grip and misgovernance of ruling APC during the polls
He condemned the widespread irregularities and shortage of sensitive materials in majority of the polling units by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC).
He furthered said “The real-time outcomes of last Saturday’s local Government Election in the state, saying that the people aligned with PDP Candidates across all 16 local government areas and 193 political wards over the ruling APC at the polls”
He also lauded the Kwara PDP leadership for their high-level preparedness and ability to mobilize voters amid provocations from the APC, which, according to him, contributed to the large voter turnout.
“The real-time election results from various polling units across the state reflected the overwhelming confidence Kwarans have in the PDP,” he noted.
“Kwarans have always spoken through the ballots, but last Saturday’s local government Elections in the state provided another avenue for eligible voters to once again express their overwhelming confidencs in our great party the PDP”
“To our dogged and overconcious Chairmanship and Councilorship Candidates across the 16 local government areas and 193 political wards in the state, I salute your courage and good outing at the polls no doubt, you are all the true heroes of the democracy kwarans have been yearning for.”
“If anyone still believes there is another way around elections than allowing the people’s will to prevail, it is high time such people wake up from their slumber and see to the real-time realities of a one man, one vote democratic process. The people have spoken louder through the ballots, and we’ve heard them,” He said.
Ahmad emphasized that the election demonstrated that Kwarans are ready for change and want their votes to reflect their voices. He also mentioned his personal experience at the polls, where he secured a landslide victory at his polling unit, with the APC receiving only one vote.
“Despite the glaring irregularities by the State Independent Electoral Commission amid insufficient and nonavailability of sensitive materials in some parts of the state during the Saturday Elections, Kwarans, in their numbers, still trouped out to their various polling units to exercise their franchise by voting our party Candidates across the board. That’s a strong signal that the people are tired of complaining and ready to join hands with our great party to salvage the state and bring the desired changes to the grassroots.”
In his tour of various polling units and KWASIEC’s office in Pake, he raised concerns about the choice of the collation center, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
“What is happening here today has never happened before. This is a local government election where every ward and local government has its designated collation centres to announce the real-time results from various polling units. As you can see, we are peaceful people, what we are saying is that our votes must be protected away from the reports of shenanigans allegedly happening at the homes of a serving state lawmaker and a commissioner of the Kwara government,” the former speaker was quoted as saying.”
During his visit, crowds hailed the former Speaker for his leadership and dedication to the community. Prof. Ahmad expressed his gratitude for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to serving as a true representative of the people
