By Omoba Habeeb Abiola
Dear Kwarans, especially those from the southern region, there is a big need for us to rethink our stance on zoning regardless of the party you belongs. It’s illogical to support zoning that favors the Kwara North who failed to support their own in the last 2023 general election for the governorship seat but decided to throw their support for the present Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq for his second tenure in office forgetting that their own son is on the ballot for the first time since the starting of our Democratic era of governance in Nigeria, especially when the current governor, who hails from the Central which he couldn’t prevent his own people from aspiring for the position not to talk of starting the support for Kwara North Agenda from his own region (Kwara Central).
To the best of my knowledge zoning is not enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and its proponents often prioritize personal ambition over fairness and equity. In Kwara State, the focus should be on merit, competence, and the ability to drive development, rather than geographical location just as the present APC led government in Kwara state is trying to set Kwara Southerners as baits for his own personal agenda which is likely not going to favour both Kwara North and Kwara South people because as of this moment the rate at which aspirants are springing up from the central became so worrisome and alarming that if the other two regions are not being careful we might possibly play into the hands of the central which may leads to them having the power back to back.
Moreover, the Kwara Central has had its fair share of leadership, which I believe and expect that if the present government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq is truly serious about letting the power shift to the North we shouldn’t be seeing his close allies from the central aspiring in the first place.
In this light I will urge my Kwara Southerners to also up their games by joining the governorship aspirations from all available political parties as we are not a second class citizens to anybody or region in the state.
Also to the best of my knowledge power doesn’t comes as gifts it is earned through hard struggles, If PBAT had waited for Former President Muhammadu Buhari to give him the power on a platter of gold maybe by today he President Tinubu wouldn’t have become the president of Nigeria, with these I believe we can achieve our goal through due consultations and unity of purpose.
Enough should be enough not by mere noisemaking but through actions we can achieve our agitations for a better Kwara state at least our 7 local government should mean a lot to other regions.
Rather than being swayed by zoning sentiments, Kwarans should demand a leader who can deliver on key areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. A leader who can unite the state, promote inclusivity, and ensure that every region benefits from the state’s resources.
In conclusion, Kwara state people should not be carried away by the zoning arrangement orchestrated by any political party or persons and focus on electing a leader who can transform the state and improve the lives of its citizens. Anything less would be a disservice to the people of Kwara State.
Omooba Habeeb Abiola Abdulganiyu
