The gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kwara State has promised to govern the State with the fear of God, stressing that he’ll ensure fairness, justice and equity to all, regardless of ethnic, religious or social status
The International financial expert made this disclosure during an interactive parley with the Church Leaders and Ministers Fellowship of Nigeria and Ilorin City Forum which was held separately at their Asa-Dam secretariat and 2nd ECWA Church, Amilegbe, Ilorin on Tuesday.
A chieftain of the SDP, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo Akogun while introducing the party’s delegation and the purpose of the visit explained that “the Church has gone beyond the divergence of opinion about participating actively in politics, now we’ve come to a stage of where we must get the best of us, that’ll represent the Church and faith religiously inside politics and government as a whole.”
“I led the Otoge delegation to the meeting with the CAN leadership in 2019, we made pledges with our candidate, but sadly he upon assumption of office reneged and that’s why we parted ways with him because we have a name and integrity to protect” he added.
Lawal while addressing the gathering, appreciated them for supporting the Otoge struggle and bemoaned the departure of those elected under the banner of Otoge in 2019, who unfortunately betrayed the essence of the Otoge struggle by going against all that Otoge stands for.
According to him, “We were here during the 2019 electioneering seeking your support and prayer, which you did and we won.
“Sadly we forgot to request a benevolent, God-fearing and just leader. That’s the summary of the reason why we’re where we are today. Now, we’re back here, not only seeking your prayers and support, but we also request that you support us all the way and May God make us the poster boy and answer to all the people’s yearnings.”
He added that “we are not an island of knowledge, that’s why we’re not imposing our plans on the people, we’re rather partnering all relevant stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and all and sundry in policy conceptualization, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The people will be involved throughout, our policy thrust is a bottom-up approach in all our actions and inactions.
The SDP gubernatorial candidate maintained that he is a product of fairness, justice and equity and that those values have always guided his activities.
“I understand perfectly the complaints and fears of the Christian community, I can assure you that we’ll govern under the strict guidance of fairness, justice and equity” he pledged.
Responding on behalf of the Church Leaders and Ministers Fellowship of Nigeria and Ilorin City Forum, Rev. Adebayo Kehinde Johnson commended the SDP and its candidate for deeming it fit to visit the Christian leaders, stressing that the Christian faith in Kwara is dissatisfied with the status quo and present reality of things in the State today, bemoaning the unfair treatment Christians are subjected to under the present government.
ENDS
Abdulrasheed Akogun,
Deputy Director,
Media and Strategic Communications,
SDP/Hakeem Lawal
Campaign Organization.