Today, the highest court of our land, Supreme Court has affirmed my candidature, as the validly elected candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owode/Onire state constituency for the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, which had earlier dismissed the claims of my challenger, Hon. Usman Ayinde Alajere, whom I regard as a respectable father and elder.
While I thank the Almighty Allah for this victory and appreciate all our people in Owode/Onire and the entire people of Asa Local Government for their support and dedication, particularly, our leaders and elders in APC, I still believe that those who exercised their democratic right to the highest level only enhances our democratic experience.
To say it differently, I am happy that my challenger exercised his democratic right to the fullest. We are in democracy and everyone has the option of exploring if they believe they have a good reason to do so.
Although, the popular saying in Yoruba language is that, “aki ti Ile ejo de se ore”, which literary means that, we can’t come back from court and still be friends, but I am happy to inform you that, Ile ejo, ki se Ile ija, alaye lasan lan se fun arawa”, a court is not a battle ground, we are only there to clear areas of misunderstanding.
So, therefore, we have gone to court and back, from high court, to appeal court and to supreme court and we are still friends, associates and one big family.
APC is one big family, and even if we disagree, which is normal in any normal family, we will reconcile, agree and progress together like brothers and sisters.
I therefore extend my warm welcome to our people from the other side and urge all APC members to embrace one another and work together as a team.
Let me also use this opportunity to thank the Leader of our party, His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for providing the enabling environment for democracy to thrive in Kwara State. Also, to Her Excellency, the First Lady and the mother of the State, Amb. Dr. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; and other great women who acted behind the scene to ensure that this history is made.
I there say that, Kwara State is arguably the most democratic state in Nigeria, and it is thanks to the progressive nature of our performing governor.
I also want to thank the entire APC executive in Kwara State, led by our humble chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi and our ever-supportive party in Asa local govt, under the leadership of our capacity chairman, my father, Alh. Shehu Yahaya and the entire ward chairmen, Women Leaders, Youth Leaders, Elders, Stakeholders and members in general.
Allah made this victory possible, but he used some people to actualize it.
I therefore thank Allah for designing this mission from the start and I also appreciate those who made it possible. I can’t forget my Leader and Elder in Owode Onire, Alh. Saka Akande and his entire associates, and my Leader and Father, Alh. Issa Amasa and his entire followers, both of whom invested their political capital in our mission. Also, I extend my gratitude to a mother and Leader, the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. DR. Mrs. Mopelola AbdulMaliq-Bashir, I will forever be thankful for her sacrifice, in the midst of difficult situation. I would also like to thank my Leader and Father, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa on whose shoulder, I have not fallen or sunk. Also, the youths of Asa Local Government in general, and Owode/Onire, in particular, are also appreciated for their steadfastness and commitment to the course of moving our Local Government forward.
To the entire structures and inner caucuses of the Leading Pro-democracy group, Kwara Must Change (KMC) who nurtured and still nurturing my political path for their huge sacrifices, and intellectual investment.
Before I dropped my pen, I heartily expressed my immense gratitude to the entire legal team who stood firm throughout this noble and worthy roller coaster moment. Allah will reward your dedication, perseverance, and strength abundantly.
And to all other stakeholders in and outside Asa local government who have taken ownership of our candidature, we say thank you and God Bless!
Al-Hammdulilah Rabbil’ Alamin
- Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu
APC Candidate, Owode/Onire Constituency