There is uneasy calm in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara as the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq directs his loyalists to nominate candidates to be appointed as caretaker chairmen, vice-chairmen, among other positions, across the sixteen local government areas in the state, THE INFORMANT247 has reliably gathered.
The Governor had in June 2019 suspended the chairmen elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party from office for six months following allegations of financial misappropriation.
However, upon the expiration of the suspension in December 2019, AbdulRazaq extended it by another six months.
He premised the decision on an ongoing investigation of the council bosses and a subsisting resolution of the House of Assembly.
“The extension comes on the heels of the yet-to-be-concluded probe into the alleged financial infractions of the council heads and their legislative committees by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” a statement by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, in June, reads.
‘Disagreements, boycotts trail process’
Meanwhile, as the tenure of the suspended chairmen rounds up in a few days, the governor has set in motion the process for the appointment of caretaker chairmen to oversee the affairs of the Local Councils.
According to sources, who pleaded not to be named, the governor requested his loyalists in each of the sixteen councils to conduct screenings exercise for interested candidates and submit names of consensus candidates.
“Yes, the governor asked us to submit names for TIC chairmen, but seriously, it has not been easy, especially in Ilorin West and South,” a party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity told THE INFORMANT 247, “I heard stakeholders in Kwara North are doing well, no much fightings. But I can also confirm for Asa LG as well, just heard they’re having issues as well.”
Another Party stalwart in Ilorin West, who was part of a meeting held at the Party secretary, Mustapha Ishowo’s house along Benin road in Adewole, Ilorin on Thursday disclosed that stakeholders at the meeting were not able to reach an agreement. The meeting postponed till 3 PM today (Friday) fixed for the same venue was however boycotted by some party stakeholders.
In Ilorin South, THE INFORMANT 247 gathered that two candidates emerged, one backed by a Commissioner and Special Adviser to the Governor and the other backed by a high-ranking member of the governor’s cabinet. These put both parties at loggerhead and made the selection process inconclusive.
“Like Ilorin West with three candidates, we have much more issues here in Asa as well. Only certain people are involved in the process, and we reject this. We cannot accept such, and we urge the governor to reject it,” a strong APC member in Asa LG told our correspondent.
‘Party not involved’
Speaking to a source close to the Party chairman, who doesn’t want his name in print, he denied Bolarinwa’s involvement in the process.
“I heard about it, but the selection process is only for a group within the party. A group loyal to the governor,” he said, “Even, the Chairman is currently not in Ilorin, but I can confirm to you that the party structure is not aware of this.”
‘Governor wants process participatory, inclusive’
Meanwhile, a party bigwig loyal to the governor, who spoke to THE INFORMANT247, pointed that the governor wants the process to be as participatory and inclusive as possible.
He furthered, “He asked us to sit and come up with candidates best suit for the positions. He wants everyone to be a part of the process.”
‘Planned’ appointment of caretaker chairs unconstitutional — PDP
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State had, through a press statement by its spokesperson, Tunde Ashaolu, called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to start the process of conducting local government elections in the state.
The opposition party also warned the governor against appointing caretaker committees for the councils, stressing that such action is unconstitutional, undemocratic, null, and void.
The statement read, “It is public knowledge that the tenure of the suspended chairmen of all the 16 local government councils in Kwara State will expire on the 28 of November 2020. We, therefore, call on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to immediately initiate the process to conduct elections that will usher in new chairmen, in accordance with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Local governments are the closest to the people and are pivotal to guaranteeing effective governance and even development in any State. It is therefore important that the councils are run by persons with proven capacity, competence, integrity, and are trusted by the people to do the job. The councils must not be left in the hands of charlatans that will be appointed by the governor and will only be there to do his biddings.
“The Kwara PDP on this note, warns Governor Abdulrazaq against appointing caretaker committee chairmen for the councils. It is unconstitutional, undemocratic, null and void, as ruled by the Supreme Court. The Court had declared that any local government council run by a caretaker committee is illegal and unconstitutional.
“The Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had in a letter, implored state governments to comply with the provisions of the Constitution with regard to the administration of local governments in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court. The AGF notified state governments of the illegality of running caretaker committees in place of elected officials at the local governments.
“Let it be noted that the people of Kwara State will reject any attempt to foist council chairmen on them. The rule of law and due process must strictly be followed in this case. Any action that will undermine our democracy will be vehemently rejected by our party and the people of the State.”
