Kwara NDC, SDP intensify grassroots mobilisation

Not a few political watchers in Kwara State have said the parallel opening of the secretariats of both the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Social Democratic Party in Ilorin, Kwara State capital as the result of a heated political rivalry and hot race ahead the 2027 elections.

According to political watchers, the two parties aim to intensify mobilisation and organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Arewa PUNCH, meanwhile, observed that while the NDC secretariat was unveiled on Monday, the SPD secretariat was opened on Wednesday.

Our correspondent reports that the parallel opening of the two secretariats comes as political parties in Kwara step up grassroots mobilisation, candidate coordination and organisational activities ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.

Following the unveiling ceremony, the NDC formally handed over its new secretariat, located at 187 Lagos Road, to the state executive committee led by AbdulGaniyu AbdulSalam by the party’s governorship candidate, AbdulMumin Ajia.

Ajia said the development was aimed at strengthening its structures and ending the leadership disagreements that had affected the party in the state.

He added that the facility was handed over with the backing of the party’s deputy governorship candidate as well as its senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates across the state.

He stressed that the development marked an opportunity for members to put their differences behind them and concentrate on building a stronger structure ahead of the election.

The candidate thus urged members who had taken opposing positions during the disagreement to work with the AbdulSalam-led executive through the appropriate organs of the party.

“Let this occasion put the question of leadership in the Kwara NDC to rest. There is no victor and no vanquished. We are all winners when our party can organise, serve its members and present a credible choice to the people.

“I call on every member, whatever position they held during our disagreements, to coalesce around Alhaji AbdulGaniyu AbdulSalam and the state executives,” Ajia said.

He said the party’s candidates and other organs would support the state executives while calling on members across the wards and local government areas to embrace the same spirit of cooperation.

According to Ajia, the NDC must prevent internal disagreements from undermining its ambition of winning the 2027 governorship election.

“The choice before Kwarans today gives the NDC a real opportunity to form the next Kwara State Government. We must not allow division or the pursuit of self-interest to derail the goals that brought us together,” he said.

Ajia stressed that the party’s “Forward Kwara Agenda”, also known as “Itesiwaju Kwara”, would guide its campaign, with security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic opportunities listed among its priorities.

He said the party envisaged communities where residents could live without fear, schools capable of equipping children with relevant skills, accessible healthcare, better roads and public transport, and an economy that would support farmers, traders, workers and young entrepreneurs.

“These ambitions will require disciplined leadership, honest budgeting and a government that listens to citizens and delivers results,” Ajia stated.

He also called on non-members to join the party, saying their ideas and contributions would be necessary to build a political organisation capable of earning the confidence of Kwarans.

Ajia charged the AbdulSalam-led executives to make the new secretariat a centre for reconciliation, mobilisation and preparation for the electoral contests ahead.

“Public office is a trust, and a political party is strongest when it remembers whom it exists to serve. Let us leave here united in purpose, generous toward one another and answerable, always, to the people of Kwara State,” he said.

Meanwhile, the SDP unveiled its new state secretariat along Fate-Basin Road in Ilorin on Wednesday, with its 2027 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, and vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje, among national leaders present at the ceremony.

The unveiling ceremony brought together the party’s national and state leaders, candidates and supporters as the SDP steps up its mobilisation for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the event, the SDP deputy governorship candidate in Kwara, Funsho Thawphic, described the opening of the secretariat as a new beginning for the party and its activities in the state.

“Something is happening in Kwara today that is a new birth, a new beginning. We are putting an end to poverty in Kwara, bringing prosperity, hope and renewing people’s hope,” Thawphic said.

He noted that the presence of Adebayo, Bugaje and other national leaders showed the importance attached to the party’s activities in Kwara.

Thawphic said the SDP was presenting itself to Kwarans as an alternative political platform, urging residents to consider the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also called on Kwarans to support the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Apaokagi, whom he described as a humanitarian who had spent years supporting disadvantaged people.

“I think we should trust him. I think he has all it takes. I think SDP is a party for a better Nigeria and a better Kwara,” he maintained.