Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum (KNCF) and its central counterpart have agreed that the 2027 governorship seat be conceded to Kwara North in the spirit of equity and fairness.
Specifically, KNCF, at the weekend, urged all the political parties in the state to zone the governorship tickets to the North for the district to push forward its best candidate.
Both Kwara North and Central declared interest in the district during a dialogue in Ilorin, the state capital.
KNCF’s Chairman, Abduldayan Haruna, said: “This dialogue is not an accident of history. It is a deliberate and well-thought-out continuation of the private visits and engagements we in the forum have had with various associations, youth groups, community leaders, stakeholders, and opinion shapers in the central.
“In each of those engagements, one truth has consistently emerged: our brothers and sisters in Kwara Central stand firmly on the side of equity, justice, and fairness.
“Their voices have been clear and their position unwavering; that in 2027, the governorship seat of the state should rightly and justly be zoned to Kwara North senatorial district.
“We believe that unity among our youths across senatorial lines is the strongest foundation upon which the 2027 aspiration rests.
“If we could support the current Governor Abdulraman AbdulRazaq in 2023 for his second term bid, it is incumbent on Kwara Central to reciprocate by supporting Kwara North aspiration of governing the state.
“All that we are asking for is that every political party in the state should zone its governorship ticket to our senatorial district in 2027. Then it is left for us to decide who to present that is capable,” he stated.
Keynote speaker, Mohammed Abdullahi from Kwara Central, also harped on the unity of the Kwara northerners.
Mr Abdullahi is the Chief of Staff to the Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.
The theme of the dialogue, “Kwara North governorship aspiration: A path to a more united and prosperous Kwara” attracted many from within and outside the state.
Abdullahi added that he had not come to the meeting to campaign for Kwara North but to support justice.
Said he: “Kwara North deserves the chance to also aspire for the highest office in the state.
“We have returned to democracy since 1999. By the time this administration finishes in 2027, Kwara Central will have occupied the seat for 20 years. Kwara South has done it for eight years.
“Since 1999, Kwara North has not had it. What we are saying is that it is time for equity, fairness, and justice, which religion of Islam preaches. We need to give the district the chance to take a short time at the seat.
“But, we must not base our support on sentiment. They must be able to unite among themselves to give us a qualified candidate who deserves to be on the seat.”
Also speaking, Talba of Lafiagi Salihu Suleiman, a Kwara northerner, said that “all we want is equity, justice, fair play and inclusiveness.
“The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has clearly stated that it is the right of the Kwara North to aspire to govern the state in 2027,” he added.
