The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government would bring about the desired transformation envisioned for Kwara state when it assumes power in 2019.
Mohammed made the statement on Sunday while addressing thousands of APC supporters in his home town of Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the supporters were on a solidarity visit to the minister over the party’s victory in the just concluded by-election won by its candidate, Raheem Olawuyi.
The minister said that the people of the state were yet to fully harness the positive impact of the present administration’s people oriented policies and programmes.
According to him, with the emergence of the party’s candidate, Abdulrahman Abdulrasak, 2019 general elections would bring about the desired growth, progress and development in the state.
He described the just concluded Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency by-election in the state as an eye opener, saying that it was the first time the state witnessed an election devoid of molestation and harassment.
The minister, who described the election as credible, free and fair, said the adequate deployment of security personnel for the election which was being misconstrued by the PDP led state government, was basically to maintain law and order.
“This is the first time the state is witnessing an election where people would not be subjected to act of harassment and intimation due to adequate security which provided a level playing ground.
“Perpetrators of such violence of act in the years past are not always apprehended because that is the only weapon being employed to win elections by those who thought the state belongs to them.
“I want to assure that this is just the beginning of many good things to come the way of the state as we have not fully utilised the goodies of President Muhammad Buhari.
“But come 2019 when our candidate takes over the mantle of leadership, the party will surely make the difference in terms of good governance,” he said.
Alhaji Bashir Bolarinwa, the State Party Chairman, praised the party supporters for their dedication, loyalty and steadfastness, urging them to maintain the tempo as the 2019 elections drew nearer.
He charged the supporters not to relent but to remain focused, saying that the challenges ahead required more sacrifice and hard work, to achieve the desired objective.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, together with the APC Rep-elect, Olawuyi, later joined the supporters in a rally across major streets in Oro and other adjoining communities in Kwara South Senatorial district. (NAN)