An Ilorin-based social critic and elder statesman, Alhaji Abdulkarim Olola-Kasum, had said that the floor of the governorship contest in the critical 2027 General Election in Kwara state is open to all interested candidates irrespective of their geopolitical zone in the state.
Kazum, who was one of the arrowheads of the Otoge campaigns in 2019, stated this while speaking with news men in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. He argued that at no time in the history of Kwara state had the plum position been zoned to any particular district of the state either by fiat or by consensus.
Instead, he argued, all interested aspirants have always had the opportunity to come to the field and market their ideas, insisting that the 2027 elections would not be any different
“Let all the aspirants come to the field, market themselves and leave the voters to elect whoever they want. That is the beauty of democracy.
“That is exactly what we fought for during the dark days of the juntas. I don’t want to start hearing that it is the turn of anybody to be governor or that some people should give room for others. That is a pseudo democracy and it would be outrightly rejected.”
Just Event Online TV reports that the octogenarian’s position aligns with those of other stakeholders across Kwara state, including the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District and Deputy Senate Leader Arc. Lola Ashiru.
It would be recalled that Senator Ashiru, while speaking with news men earlier in the year , contended that zoning was alien to the political history of Kwara state.
He also said that if there must, the concept of zoning would not be the prerogative of any particular political leader, no matter how highly placed.
The Deputy Senate Leader said whether to adopt zoning or not would be a decision of the majority of political stakeholders across parties and across the zones.
