How Gov AbdulRazaq, PDP deputy gov candidate almost clashed in Kwara south
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, a lot of political engagements have stated in Kwara State. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq have been busy organizing town hall meetings across local government areas of the state.
Undoubtedly, the town meetings is aimed at cementing his relationship with the traditional rulers across those areas and will also serve as an avenue for him to reel out his political agenda.
Meanwhile, there was uneasy calm at Obbo-Aiyegunle in Kwara South Senatorial District of the state on Saturday when Governor AbdulRazaq visited the area to grace the annual festival.
It was gathered that the Deputy gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola was invited for a traditional title, the same way governor AbdulRazaq was invited for the conferment of a title.
A source who pleaded anonymity, revealed to The Informant247 that the Deputy gubernatorial candidate of the PDP avoided the venue of the event to avoid a clash of interest and further avert a political crisis that may arise from the gathering.
The source disclosed that if the PDP’s supporters, family and friends of Hon. Makanjuola decided to converge to the venue of the event it may lead to a political crisis which may in turn paint the opposition party as one bad egg.
It could be recalled that similar scenario occurred on Friday at the Ilorin Central Mosque when the supporters of both Governor AbdulRazaq and formal Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki polluted the atmosphere with unsolicited noise. The act which is capable of causing unrest and political crisis in the state.
The source said, “We received an unconfirmed report that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state came to Oboayegunle with thugs. So, in order to avoid a bloody clashes between the members of the two parties, we decided to wait until the governor leaves the venue before we join other traditional chiefs at the venue. Unfortunately, we could not join them at the venue because the governor the event late in the night.
“We waited at Omu Aran till 2pm, 3pm yesterday, when we called the venue to confirm the situation of things. The palace chiefs asked us to wait that they were in a meeting with the governor. That time we learnt the governor was in a Town Hall Meeting with the traditional rulers at Osi. Osi is not too far from Oboayegunle. And what this implies is that the traditional ruler in Oboayegunle will also attend the meeting at Osi. Having heard this, we still waited for some hours. We were expecting the palace chiefs to call and inform us when to join them at the venue but unfortunately non of them reach out to us until it’s late in the night when the governor had left the gathering.
“Although, our decision to wait behind really worked. At least it made the event to be peaceful and calm. Upon all these, Makanjuola was later honoured with the traditional title of Atunluse. He was conferred with the title and certificate was given to him in that regard.”
However, the Governor was also honored with title of Mayegun of Oboayegunle.
According to the source, Honourable Gbenga Makanjuola was conferred the traditional title following his antecedents and major contributions he had impacted in the community.
