Convener of the Legacy 2027 Acquired Continuity Movement, Abdulmajeed Abdullahi, has described the political atmosphere in Kwara State following the emergence of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate as akin to a period of mourning.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, Abdullahi said the reaction across the state contrasted sharply with the enthusiasm that greeted the earlier endorsement of Ambassador Fatai Seriki Gambari by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to him, Gambari’s endorsement had generated widespread support across different segments of the state.
“When the candidacy of Ambassador Fatai Seriki Gambari was endorsed by the governor, the atmosphere immediately indicated the fact that there was groundswell public support for his candidacy,” he said.
Abdullahi attributed the support to Gambari’s longstanding relationship with the people and his philanthropic activities, which he said predated his political ambitions.
“This is someone whose influence goes beyond the borders of governance or being part of government.
“He’s been in philanthropy, whose interventions predate politics, his engagement with the people and the emotional connection he enjoys.
“It’s not something that is activated around electoral cycles.”
The Legacy 2027 convener, however, said the mood in the state changed significantly after Danladi was declared the winner of the APC primary.
“So you cannot compare that with a candidate whom, since when it was declared, the party, the state, the democratic climate has gone into a stronger state.
“I mean, it was more of a mourning period in the state as we speak right now.”
Abdullahi maintained that the concerns being raised by stakeholders were not directed at Danladi personally, acknowledging his contributions to the state’s political development.
“So I believe that the leaders who are talking have nothing against the candidate of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi.
“It’s someone who has also contributed to the current democratic gains that we were enjoying right now.”
He argued instead that the controversy surrounding the APC primary was centred on the process that produced the candidate.
“But the question is about the process.”
Abdullahi further stressed the importance of internal democracy, saying party members deserved explanations regarding their participation in the primary exercise.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Section 223, has given a lot of emphasis on the issue of internal democracy and participation of the people.
“When a process starts, the people deserve clarity on what happened to their participation.
“They must know that they matter.”
He added that the concerns being raised by party elders and other stakeholders stemmed from a desire to preserve the democratic ideals that brought the current administration to power.
“What brought this government into power, it was a revolution that was against predetermination, of leaders in the state.
“Seven years after, we’re still in compliance and in solidarity with that political culture.
“Do we now switch to the side of those that we’ve moved out of the governance system?”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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