Barring any last minute changes, the Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Saturday, January 21st conduct a fresh primaries to pick a replacement for the deceased Hon. Magaji Olawoyin who died last week, Fresh Insight has exclusively gathered.
It would be recalled Olawoyin who was until his death the Leader of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly and candidate of the APC for Magaji ngeri constituency for the March 11, House of Assembly election had died on Monday 9th of January, 2023.
The party relying on the electoral act which stipulates the replacement of candidates in the eventuality of death with 14 days, last week Thursday 12th, 2023.
Speaking with this medium on the condition of anonymity an highly placed source said “A stakeholders committee chaired by Barr. Kunle Suleiman, with Hajia Bilikisu Ebira, Engr. Hassan Laro, Alhaji Faari Babtunde, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, Mr. Abdullahi Baboko, Iya Lamule, Alhaja Ayo Agbabiaka, Ibrahim Kale Jimoh among others sat and convened a candidate selection committee, saddled with the responsibility of screening and recommending a replacement was set up.
“The committee which was chaired by Hon. Soliu Bamidele Aluko had Baba Eleyin as Secretary while Alhaji Ibraheem, Alhaji Kawu Fada and Wonder as members respectively.
“The committee on compassionate grounds unanimously recommended the younger brother of the deceased Barr. Abdulkadir Mogaji Oba, as the consensus candidate to replace his brother as the flag bearer of the party, a recommendation which was signed by 4 out of the 5 members of the committee” the source added.
Fresh Insight checks revealed that the recommendation of the committee did not go down well with some minority section of the Barr. Kunle Suleiman chaired stakeholders, which led to the eventual jettisoning of the recommendation and handing over of the selection process to the State hierarchy of the party.
To beat the 14 days deadline however, a stakeholders meeting was convened at the State party level, chaired by the State secretary, Alh. Mustapha Ishowo earlier today, which was purposely convened to fashion out primaries modalities.
According to impeccable sources at the meeting who confided in this medium on the condition of anonymity he said “The meeting which started few minutes after 2 was chaired by the party’s State secretary Alh. Mustapha Ishowo, Alhaja Tawa Agaka (Kwara Central Senatorial Women Leader), Hon. Muktar Omotosho (Ilorin West TIC Chairman), Hon. Suleiman Tejidini (Ilorin West APC Chairman), Mallam Jimba Abdulkadir (LG party Secretary), All the 5 wards Chairmen of Magaji Ngeri among others.
“After heated deliberations on the modalities to follow towards ensuring a rancor free candidate selection process, all aspirants were directed to; 1) directed to pay expression of interest and form fees into the National Party(APC)’s Bank account.
2, Submit the evidence of payment to the state Party sectariate for forms obtaining.
3, Friday and Saturday has been scheduled for delegates and Primary Election, respectively” he added.
