Abdulrazaq, Lai’s group in war of words over APC LG congress in Kwara 

The brickbat between supporters of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed of the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) continued on Monday in Ilorin as both groups engaged in a war of words over last Saturday Local Government Congress in the State.

While the Governor’s group recognised by the national leadership of the party described Lai’s supporters as jokers and mischief-makers, the minister’s faction alleged confusion on the part of its opponent.

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Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the chairman, caretaker committee of the APC in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, said “Unlike the ward congress which involved all party members, the local congress was not all-comers’ affair.

“It was strictly a delegates’ election in which only accredited delegates, including elected statutory delegates, are allowed to take part.

“Any group of persons who claimed to conduct anything contrary to this in Kwara State or anywhere else are just a bunch of jokers and mischief-makers who should never be taken seriously.”

Alhaji Samari said for a lawful congress to hold, the constitution of the party requires the provision of delegates’ list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Police prior to commencement of voting at the venue of the local government congress.

He said the exercise must also be conducted by accredited party officials and to be duly monitored by the INEC to be called a lawful congress.

“There was no parallel local government congress in the state last Saturday,” he added.

But the factional Legal Adviser and Treasurer, Barrister Mustapha Oladimeji and Tajudeen Mohammed respectively told Daily Trust that Samari and his group are entitled to their own opinion, adding that they appeared to be confused.

“Well, if they say we are jokers or mischief-makers, that only amount to confusion and they are entitled to their opinion.

“We conducted our congresses monitored by national officers and elected our officers across the wards. We remain the authentic APC in Kwara and that is why we address our faction as ‘APC loyal’ unlike they that said they are AA,” Tajudeen said.

His position was echoed by Mustapha, who further said “they are not moved by the accusation of their opponents but focused on their goal to right all the injustices in the party”.