Gbemi Saraki, Jani Ibrahim concede defeat in Kwara PDP primaries

Gbemi Saraki

Two Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in last Friday’s primaries, Senator Gbemisola Saraki and Jani Ibrahim, have congratulated the winner, Senator Simeon Ajibola.

The party, last week, declared Ajibola a third-term senator representing Kwara South, the winner of its governorship primaries.

In separate statements, Ms Saraki and Ibrahim conceded victory to Ajibola, who polled 144 votes.

In an electronic mail, Gbemisola Saraki said: “After a keen contest, the wish of the majority of our delegates is that Senator S. S. Ajibola should be our governorship candidate in the 2015 general election. I congratulate my brother as I also congratulate our party for the success of our primaries.

“I’m a firm believer that democracy is a journey and not a destination. The appreciation of the lessons and our experience on that journey determine the value of our society as well as the quality of our leadership. Democracy was at work at our primaries and those lessons we learnt can only strengthen our resolve to see a better leadership and to work even harder for a glorious Kwara State.

“The beauty of democracy is that an individual ambition cannot supersede the true wish of the majority. If we, as leaders, are truly champions of the interests of our people, we cannot be a party to the subversion of their legitimate aspirations and/or a chance at their pursuit of happiness.

“Because I believe that we can build a glorious Kwara State where competence, true passion and transparent leadership mark the process of that rebirth, I was a candidate in the primaries. However, my passion for that rebirth isn’t for the sole direction of the voting at our primaries but the true interests of our people and our state.

“As a team, we are going to work together with the choice of our party to rekindle the hope in our people of a government that can truly serve their true interests.

“I’m often buoyed to see every lesson on the journey of democracy as an opportunity to grow higher and grow better in the true service of the people.

“Allah gives power to whom He wishes. As a people, we must learn the lessons in His choices. Our people look unto us; we must be their mirror of the decency of a true leadership.

“I thank you all for your support, encouragement, prayers, volunteering and work. I pray you would extend these to our party in the drive to birth a glorious Kwara.”