Kwara Ministerial Slot

Asked what Saraki might offer the governor in place of his senatorial ticket, the source added: “A likely ministerial slot if PDP wins the presidency. This is a safe deal.” At press time, it was confirmed that Senator Ibrahim, who was in Lagos for the weekend, had been summoned to Ilorin for a meeting with Saraki today.”. A group, Kwara New Era Movement, a majority of who are APC members in Kwara, has declared support for the nomination of Senator Gbemisola Saraki as a minister in the cabinet of President Muhammadu. According to inside sources in Kwara APC, three of the former governorship aspirants stand a better chance than the rest in the quest for the single ministerial slot meant for the state. The three being tipped for such an appointment are Professor Abdulraheem, Mallam Mustapha and Alhaji Yaman. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara North Elder’s Council had earlier demanded for the ministerial slot, SSG, NWC membership and the speaker of the State House of Assembly.

A Groupunder the auspices of Edu/ Patigi Progressive Association (EDUPAPA) has soughtfor review of the nominations of the Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Sen. GbemisolaSaraki as ministers in the President Muhammadu Buhari Cabinet.

The groupsaid, in a communique signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Ahmed Dakaya andSuleman Yahya, in Abuja weekend, thatthe nomination of Mohammed and Saraki violated the principle and practice ofFederal Character and participatory democracy.

“The twoministerial slots were ceded to Kwara state but none of the nominees came fromKwara North Senatorial District, rather the nominees are from Kwara Central andKwara South Senatorial Districts that produced the current governor and deputygovernor respectively,” the group said.

It also saidthat only twice was a person made a minister from Kwara North SenatorialDistrict since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The groupsaid: “Hajiya Amina Ndalolo was appointed minister by former President, ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo in in 1999, and Hon. Ibrahim Bio was appointed minister byLate President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. This was made possible at that time becausethey adhered to the principle of participatory democracy and Federal Character,whereby every part of the state was given a sense of belonging. At that timethe governors, late Mohammed Lawal and Dr. Bukola Saraki were from Ilorinin Kwara Central Senatorial District,while the their deputies, Decon Sayomi and Chief Joel Ogundeji, respectively,were from Kwara South Senatorial District.

“The eventeventually turned after the 2015 general elections when Alhaji Lai Mohammed wasappointed minister, even though he came from the same Senatorial District withthe sitting governor, Alhaji Fatai Ahmed.

“Kwara NorthSenatorial District has the largest land mass in Kwara state and second largestpopulation after Kwara Central Senatorial District. In the 2019 generalelection Kwar North Senatorial District had over 32 percent total vote castfrom Kwara state, with 80 percent of the votes cast given to PresidentMuhammadu Buhari and other All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates.

“ Althoughappointing a minister is a prerogative of the President, we believe justice,fairness and equity is what President Muhammadu Buhari stands for; and it isour believe that Mr. President will look at their nominations again.”

Kwara Ministerial Sloth

The move to retain Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of information, has begun among All Progressives Congress groups in the north central.

The group led by Dr Hezekiah Oyedepo said Mohammed had carved a niche and justified the confidence reposed in him in various offices he had occupied.

Oyedepo said that Mohammed was instrumental to the victory of the APC in Kwara and that his office as a minister led the awarding of many projects in the state.

He said: ”Due to the demonstrable and inherent usefulness of our son, Lai Mohammed to his party, the federal and state government, the fact that God has used him to deliver Kwara state from the clutches of the wicked into the fresh air of APC, Lai Mohammed should be retained as a Minister.

Kwara Ministerial Slot Machine

“Sound management thinking, which dictates that you do not change the star of a winning team midway expects no less.

“We appeal to the authorities, particularly the president, vice president, national chairman of APC, national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all other authorities concerned to retain our son as a member of a new cabinet to be constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari in the next cabinet.

“Alhaji Lai Mohammed is our son, an illustrious son for that matter. We cherish him in Irepodun LGA of Kwara state. We are proud of him and proudly associate with his achievements”