• blasts party for frustrating election with law suits

The Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Communications, Hon. Ibraheem Abdullateef, has revealed that the grand plan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is to see local government allocations withheld, thereby causing disruption in the payment of workers’ salaries.

The Governors’ aide said PDP is not ready for the forthcoming local government election in Kwara State due to the fear of an impending defeat having being rejected by the people in two consecutive electoral cycles.

Abdullateef made this statement on Wednesday when he appeared on Network Kwara, a flagship programme of Kwara TV Ilorin.

He said all political parties in the state are ready for the forthcoming election except PDP.

He berated the opposition party for tactically frustrating the local government election with adjournment of court hearing.

“There is currently a court case being instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This court case has the Kwara State Government and the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) being joined as the defending parties. There have been two sittings already.

“I’m surprised that instead of Kwara PDP coming forward to state their case, they have been seeking the adjournment of the sittings in a way to further frustrate the conduct of the election.

“The PDP is not ready for the election, and that’s exactly what their legal case is about. The PDP is not ready to participate in the election, perhaps due to the fear of an impending defeat at the polls. Remember they have been rejected twice in quick succession,” he said.

The Governor’s aide asked PDP to argue its case in court instead of the plot to frustrate the interest of the people.

“There is no how PDP will be telling the public that they are ready for this election, and they are also taking steps to ensure that the election does not take place. There is nothing consistent in that.”

Abdullateef said Kwara PDP is being insensitive with its plot to put workers and their welfare in jeopardy.

He said the people will put PDP in its place for the hanky-panky it is playing.

“There are also concerns that PDP might be doing what they are doing with a view to ensure that Kwara State is not able to hold the local government election as at due time so that the federal government will withhold the LG allocations that come to the state. You can imagine that.“

If allocations coming to the state are being withheld, you can imagine the number of people that are going to be affected, and not able to receive salaries. Look at the times we are in, they still have to join this to the issues we have. Does that not show that the PDP is insensitive?

“As far as the Kwara State Government is concerned, we are with the people of the state, who are excited and literally waiting for the moment to have the local government election. Kwara State Government has inaugurated the KWASIEC. KWASIEC has been working and engaging the political parties, media and civil society organisations, and other stakeholders with a view to rally the people for the conduct of the local government election. The only party that is being problematic is the PDP.

“If we talk about the history of local government administration, I am sure the people of Kwara State know where to put them for this game of hanky-panky they are currently playing, to frustrate the interest and the will of the people, and to put the workers at the local level who are at the risk of having their allocations withheld in jeopardy. The people of Kwara State should know who to hold responsible for the lack of conduct of local government election as of due date if they eventually have their way.”