APC confident of winning Kwara next year after emerging victorious in yesterday's bye-election

NIGERIA'S ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed that its victory in yesterday's bye-election in Kwara State is a sign that it will wrestle the state from senate president Senator Bukola Saraki in next year's elections.

 

Yesterday, in the Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero and Irepodun Federal Constituency bye-election, Tunji Olawuyi of the APC coasted to victory with 21,236 votes, defeating Saheed Alatise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 18,095 votes. Next year, both parties are expected to be involved in a close race for Kwara State when Nigeria goes to the polls in February.

 

Traditionally, the Saraki dynasty has always dominated politics in Kwara State and Senator Saraki has been a central player in the state since 2003. Elected as a PDP governor, he served for two terms until 2011 before getting elected as the senator representing Kwara Central senatorial District, succeeding his sister Gbemisola.

 

In 2014, Senator Saraki left the PDP for the APC and was returned as a senator but earlier this year, he defected back his former party. Unhappy with his role in getting numerous other senators to defect, the APC is determined to defeat senator Saraki come 2019 and end his grip on Kwara politics.

 

Having emerged victorious yesterday, the APC said that its win was a victory for the people of the state. Mr Olawuyi said that the success was a sign of more victories to come for the APC in the 2019 general elections in Kwara State.

 

“This is a happy moment for me because we have been doing this for a long time. When your time has come, no one can stop you but at the same time, I give glory to God, because it is the best time Allah has created for me," Me Olawuyi added.

 

Describing the APC as the best party in Africa, Mr Olawuyi said he was never scared of the opposition because he is a grassroots politician that is loved by his people. He added that he is now sure of an APC victory in the state in the 2019 general elections because of the spirit the electorate have demonstrated.

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