The people of Laduba and Agbona communities in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State made a bold statement on Thursday, assuring the Social Democratic Party, SDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal that the 2023 election will be a walk over for the party in the State.
Imam Abdulquadri, the Chairman of the party in Asa Local Government gave the assurance while welcoming the governorship candidate and his entourage to Laduba for the maiden interactive session with residents, groups, stakeholders and party members in the area.
Abdulquadri explained that the party is untainted and remains the credible alternative to take the State back to the road of development and progress. He added that the voters in the areas can easily relate to the party because of its programme and the pedigree of its candidate, Alhaji Lawal, the son of Alhaji Mohammed Alabi Lawal, who ruled the State between 1999 and 2003.
According to him, the era of the Late Governor Mohammed Lawal remains very golden in the history of the State and the people in the area believe Hakeem is capable of bringing back the good old days.
The Director General (Operations) of the SDP, Architect Kale Belgore in his remarks at the occasion stated that the team was in Asa Local Government to appreciate leaders, associations and stakeholders in the community who can mobilise for votes and assured that the administration will be inclusive and will hit the ground running on all its programmes when elected into office.
On his part, the governorship candidate, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal explained that the major function of government is to guarantee the happiness and welfare of the people and promised that small businesses and artisans will be boosted by getting them involved in infrastructural projects during his admiration.
The gubernatorial candidate promises to embark on mechanized farming that will be powered by the local people. He said the local farmers will be formed into groups empowered through cooperative system.
The same scene played out in Agbona where Lawal re-emphasised the fact that the people remain the constituency of his party and that his administration will help small businesses and artisans. “Our discussion today is a covenant between us. The two parties must do their part. When you vote for us, it becomes a debt for us to do our part too. I can assure you that we will deploy Kwara resources for Kwarans and strive to restore the glory of the State,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Ridwan Apaokagi, the party’s Senatorial candidate for Kwara Central assured the people that “Hakeem Lawal will perform than his father, who showed us that you can enjoy in government without stealing.”
Hon Ismail Abayomi Adisa, the party’s House of Reps candidate in Asa/Ilorin West federal Constituency admonished the people to remain resolute in driving out bad parties and politicians.
Earlier, the traditional rulers in the Local Government; Baale of Laduba Land, Alhaji Saidu Adelodun Ariwajoye; Baale Budo Agun-Oja, Alhaji Nurain Lawal Ilufemiloye and Mogaji of Agbona, Alhai Quadri Onilu recalled the good deeds of Late Governor Mohammed Lawal and stressed that Hakeem Lawal will able to continue his father’s legacy
The visit and the interaction were spiced up by enticing local music and dance from the youth and women groups, notably a ten year old boy from Laduba, Master Mukaila Senwele popularly known as Banana.