The political atmosphere of the leading opposition party in Kwara state is becoming more tense as aspirants await the official announcement of the winner of the primary who will be the party’s flagbearer in the forthcoming governorship election.
Many of the aspirants accuse the party leadership of trying to manipulate the election by altering the figures of the vote, thereby imposing an unpopular candidate on the party.
Most of the supporters of the gubernatorial aspirants have already taken to the social media platforms to declare results to their favor, each describing it principal as “leading in the poll”
In a press statement released by a media aide to the Director-General of Nigeria Broadcating Commission, he asked supporters not to loose hope as “Moddibo Kawu is on the lead in the just concluded APC primaries held yesterday”
The statement reads; “Contrary to rumours going round since yesterday that another candidate as been anointed by Alhaji Lai Mohammed after receiving huge amount of money”
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed was said to have left Ilorin this afternoon after stiff opposition from the presidency to his anointed unpopular candidate”
“Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu is the current Director General , National Broadcasting Commission and he is taunted to be the best candidate that can merge the Saraki hegemony at this time.”
Also a similar reaction was received from the Saliu Mustapha’s camp. Saliu Mustapha is also believed to be key ally to president Buhari since the CPC days spoke through his campaign director of strategy, Mr. Yaqub Ishowo who claimed to be leading in the direct primary poll calling on party members to be vigilant and not allow the “some cabals” to subvert the majority’s will.
He explained that the purported disqualification was the handiwork of paid elements at the national office who are pushing for the emergence of an unpopular candidate.
Ishowo said “…after several attempts to persuade Mallam Saliu to withdraw from the race for an unpopular aspirant, they had to descend so low to the level of even use a national officer to tell the media a false story just to change the game while the primaries was ongoing. We felt bad but Alhamdulilah despite their dirty politics, we are still maintaining the lead, that shows acceptability and strength.”
Giving the results, he claimed Mall. Saliu Mustapha is leading in Irepodun, Offa, Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Asa among others.
The supporters of Mallam Lukman Mustapha has also taken to the social media platform to announce his lead in the gubernatorial primary. However, while no particular statistics or local government was allotted to him, they siad they are slightly leading according to informations from their situation room.
It would be recalled that THE INFORMANT247 reported that a business tycoon, AbdulRahman AbdulRasak, has latched on a comfortable early lead in the primary.
It was reliably gathered that AbdulRasak is leading in Oke-Ero, Irepodun, Ifelodun, Oyun, Offa, Baruteen, Kiama, and Moro local government of the state.
Others include; Ilorin East and Ilorin south while he is pegged to a runner-up in Ekiti and Patigi local government respectively.
Loyalist of different aspirants have been jubilating their principal’s victory since the conclusion of the election yesterday. Many were seen hanging around at the collation centre, Savannah hotel, Offa garrage in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
As at about 7:00, supporters believed to be loyal to a guber aspirant from the northern part of the state, Mr. Yahman were already praying on the street and joined by other party faithfuls.
Although the collation venue is under heavy security but may not be enough to prevent the anticipating partymen’s protest if the results is percieved to be manipulated when eventually announced.
However, the official announcement is yet to be made as at the time of filling this report