- Unilorin student, Mubarak Shittu emerges new President
- Security bodies, Kwara govt official, others okay election
- Olofa, Kwara Assembly member, Harmony Holdings GMD, Akaje, others congratulate new student leader
- Kwara gov’s aide booed out of election ground
- President-elect gives victory speech
The National Association of Kwara State Students, NAKSS, has elected Comrade Muftau Mubarak Shittu, a student of the University of Ilorin as its National President.
Also, Muhammad Danladi Muhammad of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Kastina was elected as the Senate President while Abdullah Soliu Dagbo of the University of Ilorin was elected to head the Body’s Judiciary, amongst others.
Shittu, a former National Senate President of the Offa Student Union, will take over from Adisa-Jaji Azeez.
In the election that was held at the State Banquet Hall, Shittu was declared winner after polling the highest number of delegate votes to defeat three other Presidential candidates.
Newly elected officials are: Salman Sarah Abdulqadir, Vice President; Muhammad Halima Saadiya, Vice President Special Duties; Abdulmumeen Abubakar, Director General; Yusuf Ibrahim Owolabi, Deputy Director General; Jibril Haruna Abubakar , Financial Secretary; Ibrahim Jamiu, Treasurer; Adigun Sikiru Olamilekan, Welfare Director; and Oyinloye Hasibunallah Babatunde, Social Director.
Others are: Ibrahim Aminat Abidemi, Social Directress; Ridwan Lawal Adeniyi, PRO; Ganiyu Abdulrahman, PRO 2; Abdulfatai Shereef, Sport Director; Isah Bio amaldeen, Auditor General; Sulyman Dhikirullah, Deputy Senate President; Bello Abdulmalik Ayomide, Senate Clerk; Yusuf Taofeeq Masankore, Chief Whip; 2. Abdulwahab Saoban Oladipupo, Deputy Chief Judge; and Ibrahim Eniola Ibrahim, Balif.
‘Election free, fair and credible’
The Electoral Committee Chairman, Sa’ad Baki said the election was free, fair and credible.
“We all agree that democracy must work, every person’s voice matters, and that was what we did. Every qualified person was allowed to vote, freely at their own will,” Baki told THE INFORMANT247 correspondent after the election.
“What we didn’t allow was the disruption of the electoral process, and likewise unnecessary postponement of the election. I am very happy that Senators from across the country voted in what you will agree with me was a transparent process.”
Baki had during a conversation with journalists on the sideline of Manifesto of the aspirants in Ilorin on January 2, assured there will be no unnecessary postponement of the election, adding “it is important to follow the guidelines released on the timetable for the election”.
‘Security bodies, Kwara govt official, Observers, others okay election’
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps were part of the signatories to the Election results released by the Electoral Committee.
THE INFORMANT247 correspondent who monitored the election said officials of the Department of State Security were also given a copy of the results immediately after it was announced.
Alhaji Muhideen Aliyu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters was seen by our correspondent adjudging the electoral process to be fair. He was part of the many external observers that monitored the electoral process to the last minute.
‘Go out, Thief’ – Students booed Kwara Gov’s New Media Aide over alleged plan to induce voters
Few minutes before the commencement of the election, the Special Adviser to the Governor on New Media, Mr. Fafoluyi Olayinka was reported to have been booed out of the election venue by students over an alleged attempt to woo delegates with money and manipulate the election results.
In a video obtained by this medium and certified to be authentic, the angry students who initially wanted to beat the Governor’s aide who was seen being dragged out of the election venue towards the state government house with chants of “Ole”, “Solace ole” loosely translated as “Thief, Solace (another name of Mr. Fafoluyi) thief” renting the air.
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“Trouble started when Mr. Fafoluyi came into the venue, in an attempt to financially induce us into voting for his preferred candidate. He came with cash. Most of us rejected his money. How can a non-Kwaran from Ondo appointed by the governor to manage his image be the one denting that same image he’s employed to protect. It was very unfortunate,” One of the delegates, who pleaded not to be named, narrated,” The Body is independent and we refused to be intimidated or coerced. I heard he wanted to manipulate the security as well. But we thank God the election was free, fair and transparent.”
Speaking on this, the NAKSS Legal Adviser, Barr. Olateju disclosed that Mr. Fafoluyi was at the election venue to drop money meant to fuel the generators at the State Government Banquet Hall – the election venue.
‘The walkout’
THE INFORMANT247 correspondent who observed the poll reported that some senators who alleged that their colleagues were not allowed in, after the election of the Auditor General and Sport, staged a walkout. Initially, they wanted to disrupt the whole process, but the plan was thwarted by security officials on ground. This prompted them to boycott. However, the election continued.
Speaking on this development, the ELCOM chairman, Sa’ad Baki said, “Yes, some of the senators decided to go out after the election of the Auditor General and the Sport had been conducted and the winner announced, I think because their candidate lost, they decided not to participate in the rest. Though, that is no issue because the election continued and the observers, security agents and a government official were part of the remaining process.
“On that aspect, some people were not allowed in. Yes, that is right. They were screened out because they didn’t have the basic requirements and most of them aren’t students. In order to abide by our vow of giving a credible election, they were screened out.”
‘Go and faction’ – Mr. Fafoluyi reportedly told candidates who lost election
“Despite presence of security bodies and the SA to the governor on security matters at the election from the beginning to the end, I can confirm to you that the Governor Media aide, Solace has directed some candidates who lost the election to declare a factional administration. I heard he even said he will tell the governor not to recognize the newly elected officials. He is doing all these to discredit a clearly credible election because his candidate lost,” One of the top NAKSS officials told THE INFORMANT247.
Many stakeholders have however condemned the call for factionalization of the association, describing it as ‘a joke’. The stakeholders urged candidates who lost the election to accept the result in the spirit of sportsmanship.
‘Olofa, Kwara Assembly member, Harmony Holdings GMD, Akaje, others congratulate new student leader’
The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi; a member of the State House of Assembly representing Offa constituency, Gbenga Yusuf; the GMD/CEO Harmony Holdings Ltd, Mall. Abdullahi Abdulmajeed, a stalwart of the All Progressive Congress and ex-student leader, Amb. Ibrahim Akaje and many others have congratulated Mubarak Shittu on his election as the NAKSS president. .
The Olofa, according to a statement by his Media Team, congratulated the NAKSS President-Elect, describing his victory as a landslide.
The statement read, “Muftau Mubarak Shittu ATULUSHE made history at early hour of today, as he became the first ever Offa indigene to sit on the Presidential Chair of National Association of Kwara State Students, NAKSS – National Headquarters in a landslide victory.
“We say big congratulations to him. May his reign be blessed with unprecedented transformation and achievements.
“In the same vein, Bello AbdulMalik Ayomide was also elected Clerk of NAKSS Senate.”
In congratulating Shittu, the GMD/CEO Harmony Holdings Ltd, Mallam Abdullahi Abdulmajeed was quoted, in a statement issued by HHL Corporate Affairs Unit, as acknowledging the meritorious service given by Comrade Mufutau Mubarak Shittu when he was the president of OSU, while urging him to “upholding the values of Youth Education in achieving sustainable development in Kwara state”.
He wished the entire executives of NAKSS a prosperous term as the year goes by.
Honourable representing Essa/Shawo/Igboidun at the State Assembly, Yussuf Abdulwaheed while congratulating Atunlushe said, “It is with great pleasure that I present to you the first ever indigene of Offa to emerge as president of the National Association of Kwara State Students. The newly elected NAKSS president Comrade Muftau Mubarak Shittu Atulushe.
He said, “Mubarak, (as I fondly call him) is an outgoing and vision oriented young man who is teachable and committed towards the overall improvement of our educational system.
“Mubarak was before now the Senate President of the Offa Students’ Union (OSU) National headquarters and was known for his sincere dedication and tenacity.
“My joy knows no bounds when successes like this are recorded. Therefore I say hearty congratulations to our very own Comrade Mubarak. I am confident in his abilities and commitment to serve.
“I urge all newly elected members of the NAKSS to join hands and make significant changes that would bring about the needed development in our dear State.
“Lastly, I implore the newly elected president of NAKSS to implement his great plans without fear or prejudice. I wish the executives of the association a stress free and very fruitful stay in office.”
For Ibrahim Akaje, an ex-student leader and All Progressive Congress stalwart, he said, “Leadership is a test from almighty God, Atulunshe must deliver as NAKSS NHQ’s President
“While we don’t Congratulate a surgeon ahead of his operation in the theater, I tentatively Congratulate the newly elected Leadership of our Noble Association led by Comrade Muftau Shittu Atulunshe for the victory recorded in the last convention.
“Election has been won and lost; we can either choose to be like President Goodluck Jonathan or Donald Trump. But what is honorable as young leaders of today and tomorrow is to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in any contest.”
President-Elect’s victory speech
“This is the time to deliver, let’s get it done!”
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Firstly, all praises and adorations are due to Almighty Allah, the Lord of the universe.
Fellow ‘NAKSSites’, I must say it is a great privilege and honour to be elected President of our great Association, and I am deeply conscious of that at this time. It has been a remarkable victory for me, but I am in no doubt at all as to what it means.
It is a mandate to positively change the system, and also very clearly an instruction to deliver. I have learnt many things over the past as a student leader. I have learnt from the mistakes as well as the good things.
But above all else, I have learnt of the importance of establishing the clear priorities, of setting them out clearly for the STUDENTS and then focusing on them relentlessly whatever events may come and go.
Well, I must also accept, I was surprised early this morning, when I saw — in the faces of my fellow students — the joy, hope, renewed faith, when I was declared President, and I’m humbled by the trust and confidence you placed in me. I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn’t see the North, South or Central, but NAKSS!
I’ll work with all my heart to win the confidence of all of you. It’s about students. And that’s what my administration will be all about. I sought this office to restore the soul of NAKSS, to rebuild the backbone of this association. And to make NAKSS respected again.
And we’re reminded today of those who fought so hard and sacrificed greatly for our dear union, the stakeholders. I promise, we will work on the path with which you all laid.
To the outgoing Administration led by Comrade Adisa-Jaji Azeez and the Electoral Committee ably chaired by Mr. Sa’ad. O. Baki: You deserve a special thanks from the entire Kwara State Student. Thank you for a wonderful job. That you didn’t bend despite severe pressures, you deserve big kudos!
And to my campaign team, all the volunteers, those who supported us, those who stood by us, and all who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible — through the good days and the bad. I’m proud of the campaign we built. I’m proud of the very diverse coalition — irrespective of zone, religion and tribe — that we put together, I owe you everything, and let me tell that this is just the beginning. Electioneering is just the first step, and it has been concluded. Now let’s get down to business!
Dearest senators, proudly, I’m a student of the University of Ilorin, and I am also from Offa, but I will govern as a President to all Kwara Students schooling in Institutions across the country. As those who voted for me, I’ll work well for those who didn’t. Let this grim era of sectionalizing in our association begin to end here and now.
That we differ in our choice of candidature isn’t some mysterious force beyond our control. It’s a decision, a choice we made. And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And, let me include I believe that this is part of the mandate given to us as heads of our various institutions. They want us to cooperate in their interest. And that’s the choice I’ll make. And I’ll call on everyone alike, to make that choice with me.
To all the men who took this journey with me as fellow candidates for the office of the President, even though, obviously, we were opponents, but you all showed extraordinary resilience and sportsmanship after the poll. This is not the end, let us all submit our manifestos, sit critically on them and come up with a solid blueprint and master plan. We definitely can have five administrations in one.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, Alhaji Muhideen Aliyu; the men of the Department of State Security Service (DSS); the officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF); the officials of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and other independent observers, the media as well. Your display of professionalism throughout the electioneering process helped us achieve a free, fair and credible poll. Your presence from the beginning to the very last minute — when the election was concluded, results counted and winners declared — helped us greatly. On behalf of my colleagues, we salute you greatly, sirs and ma’ams.
Also, I would like to congratulate all my colleagues from whatever region and zone who have been elected. Big congratulations to you all. Let me admonish that we all are answerable to the entire Kwara student community. They are our boss, and we are going there to serve them. Under no circumstance should we sacrifice their interest. This is the place to commit. And yes there are still many obstacles. But it is up to us to overcome them. And it is do-able!
Finally, I call on all NAKSSites to join hands with us in moving NAKSS NHQs to an enviable height. With your support, prayers and constructive criticism, we can achieve the NAKSS of our dream.