Jamiu Yisa

Tambuwal and Atiku at the event

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the only way for Nigeria to progress is by voting out President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from power in 2015.

Tambuwal stated this while speaking at the official declaration of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fattah Ahmed for a second term in office.

Ahmed is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is seeking another four year term to govern the state.

The Ilorin City Stadium venue of the rally, played host to residents of the state drawn from all the local government areas of the ancient city, some of who have arrived the state capital, 24 and 48 hours before the d-day.

According to Tambuwal, “They have nothing to offer. They have been lying all along in power. They have not done anything to improve the lives of the people. The only way Nigeria can progress is by voting out Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from power in 2015 and I want you to do this through your votes in 2015.”

APC leader and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, told the gathering that it is only APC that can guarantee improved life for the people of the state.

“What do they have for you? Nothing! It is only APC that can give you the best of life. Ahmed has demonstrated that he is capable of delivering the goods to our people hence we are returning him,” he said.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Atiku Abubakar

Senator Saraki stated further that his party has the potential to make Nigeria great but the people must show their commitment to the party by voting for its candidates.

Ishola Balogun-Fulani, APC Chairman in Kwara State, told the gathering that Ahmed deserved a second term in office because he had performed marvelously well in office.

“Governor Ahmed has done us proud and his performance has confirmed that the APC has the interest and welfare of the people at heart,” the Kwara PDP chairman said.

For Alhaji Kawu Baraje, the Ahmed administration has built on the remarkable achievements of his predecessor to institute a legacy of performance in Kwara State.

“Governor Ahmed has built on the remarkable achievements of his predecessor, our leader, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki and what we have today in Kwara is a legacy of performance and resounding achievements. We can only continue this legacy of performance and achievements if we return APC to power through our votes for its candidates, not only Ahmed as our Governor but also other candidates of our great party,” the former acting National Chairman of PDP said.

Governor Ahmed while speaking, told the gathering that he has done remarkably well in improving the lives of the people.

“We have positively touched all facets of our lives in Kwara State. The road construction and rehabilitation have witnessed tremendous improvement; we have positively touched the lives of our people in the area of health care delivery and services; we have put in place a lasting legacy in the agriculture sector and others,” the Governor said.

According to him, the need to continue serving the people informed his decision to seek to rule again. “I’m making this solemn pledge to serve you better and bring dividends of democracy right to you at your doorsteps,” he said.

The APC Governors told the people of the state to vote for their colleague and ensure that he is returned to power.

The National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, told the people to be extra vigilant and ensure that they defend their votes in the coming election.

On the Kwara Governor, Tinubu stated that Ahmed was the natural choice because he has done well. “He received the mantle of good leadership from Bukola, who has equally done tremendously well for the Kwara people, he is our choice because he is your choice,” he said.

The two time former Governor of Lagos State also urged the people to ensure that they collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) as this is the weapon they need to change the government at centre.

“We need to change the government at the centre. They have not done anything for us. They can’t provide food, employment and security, so we need to change this government,” Tinubu said.

Other prominent politicians who were at the declaration includes: ex-Head of State, General Muhammad Buhari; ex-Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Muhammad; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyyu Wammako; his Kano counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by one of his commissioners among others.