PDP: Zakari Mohammed jostles for Kwara gubernatorial seat
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One of the 36 members of the House of Representatives who defected from All Progressive Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zakari Mohammed has joined the gubernatorial race in Kwara State.
Mohammed, a two term member of the House of Representatives (2011-2019), also served as former Commissioner on Energy; former Special Adviser on Sports to Kwara State Governor and former Deputy Director Media in the Saraki’s campaign team.
Mohammed is the incumbent chairman, House Committee on Basic Education, pledged to prioritize Education, Agriculture, Sports and Rural Development if elected as Governor of Kwara State.
The lawmaker disclosed that he has the blessings of Senator Bukola Saraki, traditional rulers and other party stalwarts before picking the form, expressed optimism of his ability to steer the affairs of the State, haven acquired requisite experience in the Executive and Legislative arms of government since 2002 when he joined politics.
“I have come to submit my form, I have signified my intention to be the Governor of Kwara State, God willing.
“I belong to the Saraki family and I started politics in that house. For me, having being a member of that family if I want to take decisions, as my leader I have to consult him.
“That was where I started my political sojourn. I intend to use my vast experience in the education sector to catapult the sector in the state.
“I will equally create jobs through agriculture as this is the tonic we need to galvanise our people from the urban cities and create more jobs for our people.
“I think basically Kwara is a miniature of Nigeria, if you understand the geography of Ilorin and the ethnic spread its just like a melting Pot.
“For me, coming from the background of the Executive and legislature, I believe I’m the best man for the job, and the grace of God, the people of Kwara will thrust this cast on me,” the soft-spoken lawmaker said.
Mohammed who argued that he was “not in a wild goose chase,” maintained that no amount of federal might will destabilize the existing political structure and election machineries in Kwara state.
He observed that Kwara which shares border with Republic of Benin ranging up to 100 kilometers has huge potentials in agricultural produces such as Sorghum, Yam flour among others, that could feed Oyo and Lagos state.
While responding to questions on the controversies trailing the adoption of direct, indirect primaries and consensus candidates, Mohammed who opted for indirect primaries argued that it was the most democratic option in the choice of party candidates.
He noted that after the electioneering, all elected political office holder should concentrate on governance and show magnanimity to the opposition parties while in office.
On whether he has plan B in case he lost from the gubernatorial seat, he said: “For me, when I made up my mind on a task, I’ve ran elections twice and I did not lost any, and I won’t loose this. Because this game is about knowing where it is,” adding that only Kwara North has not be given fair deal in the governorship seat so far.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja