• Primary election holds Saturday
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Ilorin West Local Government have rallied support for the brother of late Hon Magaji Olawoyin, Oba Abdulqadir Magaji to flag the party’s flag for the Magaji Ngeri Constituency seat ahead of the March House of Assembly election.
Olawoyin was until his demise the Leader of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly, a top chieftain of the party, and the candidate for the Magaji Ngeri constituency seat for the March 11, State House of Assembly election at the fast-approaching 2023 general elections.
It was gathered that the party is relying on the electoral act which stipulates the replacement of candidates in the eventuality of death within 14 days.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a credible source told THE ELITES WATCH, “Top Chieftains of the party under the aegis of Ilorin West APC stakeholders committee chaired by Barr. Kunle Suleiman, Hajia Bilikisu Ebira, Engr. Hassan Laro, Alhaji Faari Babatunde, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, Mr. Abdullahi Baboko, Iya Lamule, Alhaja Ayo Agbabiaka, Ibrahim Kale Jimoh among others convened a candidate selection committee, saddled with the responsibility of screening and recommending a replacement for the late House Leader Hon. Abubakar Magaji Olawoyin.
“Another committee was set up and chaired by Hon. Soliu Bamidele Aluko, and also had Baba Eleyin as Secretary while Alhaji Ibraheem, Alhaji Kawu Fada, and ‘Wonder’ as members respectively.
“The Aluko-led committee on compassionate grounds unanimously recommended the younger brother of the late house leader in the person of Barr. Abdulkadir Mogaji Olawoyin, as the consensus candidate to replace his brother as the flag bearer of the party, a recommendation which was signed by 4 out of the 5 members of the committee,” the source added.
However, barring any last-minute changes, the Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives have fixed Saturday, January 21st to conduct a fresh primary election to pick a replacement for the deceased Hon. Magaji Olawoyin died last week.
Brief profile of Barrister Oba Abdulqadir Magaji
Oba Abdulqadir Magaji was born on March 15,1969. He holds a degree in Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and was called to Bar in the year 2000.
He is the Managing Partner of Magaji NGeri & co-chamber and Notary Public of the Supreme Court.
Oba Abdulqadir Magaji is a member Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria and the Institute of Arbitrators (UK).
Meanwhile, Our Correspondent gathered that the majority of the stakeholders agreed with the recommendation of the Aluko-led committee but insisted on formalizing the decision through a primary election in line with the provisions of the new electoral act.
Another source hinted that the unanimous decision to field Olawoyin’s brother did not go down well with the Barr. Kunle Suleiman chaired stakeholders.
The ruling Kwara APC has meanwhile, released guidelines for the candidate’s selection process towards ensuring a rancour-free election at the general elections.
However, the party directed all aspirants to pay Expression of Interest and Nomination form fees into the National headquarters (APC)’s bank account and submit the evidence of payment to the State Party Secretariat to allow aspirants to pick nomination forms.
The party has been scheduled for the Delegates and Primary Election on Friday and Saturday respectively.
