Kwara APC governorship aspirants cry out over disqualification

TWO All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Kwara state, Hon. Mashood Mustapha and Mallam Saliu Mustapha, have called for the cancellation of the governorship primary election and conduct of a fresh one over allegations of their rumoured disqualification.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Saturday night, the governorship aspirants described the conduct of the APC primary election as an abuse of constitution of the party.

The aspirants, who said that rumour of their disqualification was aired on a national radio on Saturday morning, claimed that disqualification was aimed to edge them out of the APC governorship primaries.

The APC hopeful said that the radio announcement had said that they were not cleared by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), adding that rumour of their disqualification had caused confusion and apathy amongst their supporters across the 193 wards in the state.

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“Up till now, I am yet to receive any communication from APC National Working Committee about non-clearance for governorship race. It is sad that the rumour of my disqualification was aired on a national radio this (Saturday) morning to edge me out despite the denial by APC Acting National Publicity Secretary in a phone conversation.

“I know it is the hand work of my political detractors within and outside the party. We are also aware that this development maybe in connection with the scheme by some elements trying to impose a candidate for their selfish interest.

“Both of us suffered similar ill treatment from a party we have always remained committed to and attended a meeting with all other aspirants and state executive committee last night without anybody raising the issue of disqualification.

“To start with, I, Hon Mashood Mustapha is a bonafide/founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). I joined the party in 2014 with 36 other House of Representatives members and ever since then, I have worked assiduously towards the growth and development of our noble party in Kwara state.

In 2015, I was appointed as the Kwara state campaign coordinator for Buhari/Osinbajo and I worked alongside other progressives to deliver Kwara state to the APC. I have always been an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and that prompted me to take a position when some opportunists attempted to exhume our defunct nPDP platform to derail the president and his administration through the formation of an illegal and irresponsible Reformed APC. It is on record that I went on national TV with like-minds including Sen Abdullahi Adamu and Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin to shoot down the mischievous contraption of the felons who have since found their way out of our party.

“I will like to state clearly that the struggle of making APC stronger and formidable started from my ward-Alanamu, Ilorin West local government area in May 2018 where I stood firm to challenge impunity by the then party leadership and stakeholders.

“I organised authentic Ward and local government congresses in Ilorin West before aligning with Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other progressives to organise a State Congress at Arca Santa Arena where Hon Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa emerged as the State Chairman.