The highly talked-about Kwara PDP aspirant, Omar Bolaji Gambari, has obtained his gubernatorial forms at the party secretariat in Ilorin, drawing a large crowd of supporters and Kwarans.
Today in Ilorin marked yet another historic milestone as my team and I visited the Kwara PDP Party Secretariat to officially obtain Governorship Nomination and Expression of Interest forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It was a truly remarkable and uplifting moment to witness not just members of my team, but large numbers of Kwarans who came out in solidarity to show their support for me, our great party, and our leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
I remain confident and optimistic about our party’s victory in the forthcoming elections.
Power to the people.
Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move by the incumbent Governor of Kwara State to initiate a case of criminal liability against me in the unfortunate incident of armed robbery which happened in Offa community eight years ago should be to shrug it off and say that we will meet in court since I know I have nothing to do with the incident or any other crime for that matter.
However, I have been inundated with calls from many well-meaning Nigerians who were surprised by this turn of events. Thus, for the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter, whatsoever. The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration with the connivance of some individuals from Kwara State as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019.
The case was investigated by the police team from the office of the Inspector General of Police. However, following the investigation, in two separate legal advices dated June 22nd, 2018, and August 23rd, 2018, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) stated that there was no evidence directly or indirectly linking me to the robbery incident.
The DPP in his first legal advice stated that “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects”. In a second report, the DPP stated that “With regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide”.
Based on the DPP’s advice, four suspects were charged in court by the Kwara State Government. They were convicted at the trial court and the conviction was upheld by the appellate court. The matter is now before the Supreme Court.
Suddenly, the governor woke up after I granted my interview to Channels TV where I commented on the insecurity in the state and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges against his two predecessors. I noticed that in his propaganda plan to circulate his frivolous charges and other skewed documents as paid advertisements in the national newspapers, even before serving the defendants, he intentionally hid the DPP reports and other documents which put a lie to the charade he is perpetuating. These are deliberate efforts to mislead the media and induce them to give purchased publicity to the frame-up.
Therefore, I am under no illusion that this case was a frivolous move and an abuse of court process to embarrass my person. My legal team will definitely meet this governor in court. I believe that Abdulrahman just feels that he could still use this case to harass and defame my person by abusing the judicial process. He had tried to induce the families of the victims to initiate civil litigations against the other respondents and me, but he seemed not to be making progress with that mischievous effort because the families backed out.
I need to remind him that this vicious attack on my reputation because he enjoys the immunity of a governor is a huge joke on him. A sitting governor who is accusing his two immediate predecessors of armed robbery is only making a mockery of the institution. He is only taking the governorship of our dear state to the gutter. This is an example of dirty politics taken too far and too low. He ought to know that nobody at the national or state level is buying his claim. He is the butt of a crude joke. Many of those involved in the plot to blackmail me with the Offa robbery case have since faced the judgments of the law of karma. I do not doubt that this governor will end up the same way.
A/Court Judgement: Let’s Bury the Hatchet, Stop Litigations to Enable Party Fill Candidates for 2027 Polls, Says Saraki
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has appealed to all leaders and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bury the hatchet, accept the Court of Appeal verdict, and move towards holding a fresh national convention that will comply with all INEC guidelines.
Saraki in his reaction to Monday’s judgement on last year’s national convention of the party held in Ibadan advised all the leaders of the party that it was time for introspection and for them to see the Appeal Court decision as an end to all litigations.
“My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is obvious that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court decision. Otherwise, we would not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates. Also, uncertainty will continue to hang over the validity of the tickets issued to those nominated on the PDP platform. If our motive is to see that we do not jeopardise the chances of our numerous members who want to contest elections on our platform, then this consideration should be the priority of all of us in the party.
“One of the key essentials of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates seeking to serve the people by contesting elections. We should not defeat this purpose. It is for these reasons that I believe the only option open to all of us is to end all litigation and work with the arrangements that are on the ground for holding a national convention within the INEC timetable.
“From the beginning, some of us have warned and advised about the dangers of travelling this route. We know that it will only imperil the party. However, since we have found ourselves here, our focus should be on how to get back on the path of full recovery, stability, and progress.
“I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and a leader is the ability to rise above the din and ignore personal interests to serve the larger common interests and public good. Thus, some leaders of the party who did not get what they desired from the courts should now consider the bigger interest of the PDP in the 2027 elections and beyond. This is a more noble, dignified, and responsible position to adopt than to embark on a journey that leads to nowhere.
“My concern is how to save and preserve this great party for the benefit of the numerous members who have hinged their aspirations on the PDP platform. There are many Nigerians in the grassroots who have been investing their time and resources in mobilising support for the party because they want to contest elections on the PDP platform. These are members who want to contest elections into the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and the presidency.
“Feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise, undermine, and defeat the aspirations of these honest, devoted and committed party members by depriving them of the opportunity to subject themselves to the verdict of the electorate. That is what these leaders will be doing if anybody continues with the litigation.
“The only viable option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss, and work towards holding an all-inclusive national convention at a time that will comply with INEC guidelines. What should be paramount to all of us is to adopt a give-and-take attitude that will ensure we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention. We should let the sleeping dog lie peacefully. There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding”, Saraki stated.
Signed
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office
Abuja
This morning, Diesel is up to N1,460/litre in most fueling stations. Aviation fuel nearly doubled in just 10 days. Electricity generation is down by 40%. Nigerian manufacturers may spend N620 billion on diesel this March alone.
As OmarBolaji @omargambari_1 distributes Ramadan packages across Kwara, it marks one of the most remarkable gestures in the state. He has brought joy and relief to the faces of many Kwarans.This is not new, he has always stood for the people, and he will continue to do even more.
The Obi-Kwankwaso photos look great, but then, is RMK still keeping his options open with the Villa? If Tinubu finally pays the dowry Kwankwaso is asking for, this alliance sinks.
Also, which party would this marriage be consummated on?
Today in Abuja, I received General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau and Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, who came to offer their condolences on the passing of my father-in-law, Otunba Adekunle Ojora.
@MobilePunch Abdulrazaq has once again proven that he is completely unfit to govern Kwara State. The Vice President was in the state yesterday, yet the Governor blocked him from visiting Kwara North, a region soaked in the blood of citizens murdered under his watch
Abdulrazaq has once again proven that he is completely unfit to govern Kwara State. The Vice President was in the state yesterday, yet the Governor blocked him from visiting Kwara North, a region soaked in the blood of citizens murdered under his watch.
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki received Peter Obi and Femi Gbajabiamila's condolence visit following the death of the his father-in-law, the celebrated super industrialist, Otunba (Dr.) Adekunle Ojora.
To be honest, I was initially reluctant to chair the 23rd @Daily_Trust Dialogue this year. With an election year approaching, it is easy for conversations like this to become campaign grounds rather than sincere national reflection.
But I accepted because the Fourth Republic is bigger than any party or ambition. And if democracy is to mean anything, we must be willing to tell ourselves the truth.
APC National Chairman seen at a meet-and-greet photo with Dr. Bukola Saraki in Morocco.
Tell me any politician who enjoys broad acceptance across party lines like my leader, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the national leader of the PDP.
Leadership is about taking responsibility, confronting challenges head-on, and moving mountains when it matters most.
Saraki’s resolve to reawaken the PDP reflects true leadership driven by the people’s interest. He is a man of honour who gave Kwara State its best chapter.
The summit is being held in celebration of the 63rd birthday of our indefatigable leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, at Arca Zanta Event Centre, Offa Garage Road, Ilorin.
Stay tuned for more updates!
#KwaraPDPYouthSummit#SarakiAt63
*#SarakiAt63*
Cross section of members on the high table, including the celebrant, His Excellency, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, at the ongoing #KwaraPDPYouthSummit organized by office of Kwara State PDP Youth Leader, Comr. Adio Odunjo (Orlando).