2023: Excitement As Gobir's Campaign Train Hits Kwara South

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) Governorship Candidate in Kwara State, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir (Aláàánú Mẹ ̀kúnnù) took his statewide campaign tour to Kwara South Senatorial district during the week.

The Philanthropist was welcomed by thousands of supporters in Oyun and Offa Local Government Areas (LGAs). Gobir who is one of the leading candidates for the Office of Executive Governor in Kwara began on Thursday with a warm reception at the Palace of Elerin of Erinle where he met first-class and second-class traditional rulers in Oyun. The traditional rulers present at the meeting hosted by the Elerin of Erinle included; Oba Abdulganiyu Ibrahim Ajibola, Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola Ibrahim of Olusookun, Oba Abdulwahab Oyetoro (Ira), Oba Mufutau Lawal (Ipe), Oba AbdulRazaq Afolabi (Ojoku), Oba AbdulRazaq Abioye (Ikotun), Oba Abubakar Oyelowo (Igbonna), Oba Jubril Monranro (Alaho) and Oba Dr Abdulganiyu Olarewaju (Inaja). 

The monarchs praised Gobir for his selfless contributions, especially in the areas of poverty eradication and female empowerment under the aegis o the Gobir Organisation Foundation.

In his address, Aláàánú Mẹ ̀kúnnù stated YPP's commitment to run an inclusive governmentwithout discrimination - neither religion, tribe or political association. He reiterated that all candidates for other Federal and State positions in the party emerged through a free and fair primary.

Gobir while in Oyun council received decampees from PDP to YPP, led by a former political ally of the PDP, Captain Shadrack Taiwo Popoola (Rtd), aka CAPO or Saraki Oyun. Captain Popoola’s decamping reverberated across many wards within Oyun, while other loyalists pledged to join YPP - the fastest-growing political party providing the most service to people in Nigeria.

The YPP Gubernatorial candidate later met Islamic clerics and CAN leadership to seek God's guidance ahead of the 2023 poll.

After a successful outing in Oyun, the ground swell in Offa demonstrated that YPP has made a name for itself. Driving through Owode market, chants and screams of Aláàánú Mẹ ̀kúnnù, Aláàánú Ti De filled the streets. The candidate met with the leadership of the market led by Alhaji Moshood Bello (the Babaloja of Offa) and Alhaja Idiat Ige Oshola Yusuf (the Iyaloja of Offa) who were delighted to host and prayed for his success during the campaign season.

Gobir and his running mate, Hon. Bolujoko George shut down Offa as they crisscrossed different parts of the ancient city. After observing Salatul-Jumu'ah at the Offa Central Mosque, Aláàánú Mẹ ̀kúnnù in his selfless fashion, interacted with his thousand of teeming supporters as he walked the streets of Offa to the Palace of the Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty Oba Mufutau Mohammed Gbadamosi Oloyede Esuwoye II who he met to seek blessings and share his plans for the state when elected.

At a meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria (Kwara Chapter, Offa), the leadership council expressed, “We have conducted our research and verified that your Aánú is real, not fake. You are kind and sincere and God Almighty will reward you.” Similarly, the Council of Imams in Offa Local Government Area led by Khalifa-Sufian Akewusola prayed for the manifestation of Waziri’s heart desires and continued success.

In expressing gratitude to the joyful supporters, Aláàánú Mèkúnnù said, “I appreciate your show of love and endorsement and Insha Allah, I will do even more when I get to the Government House.” 

He added, “I urge you to vote for YPP candidates in the forthcoming election, from Governorship to Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, we know where the shoe pinches and are determined to fix it. YPP is committed to changing the fortune of Kwara and lifting Kwarans out of poverty through our tested and trusted initiatives.”

Aláàánú Mèkúnnù ended the week by returning to Oyun for the 20th Coronation Anniversary and birthday celebration of the Onipe of Ipeeland, Oba Muftau Adebayo Lawal. He was later hosted at the private residence by the YPP Candidate vying for the seat of Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Pillar Ayodeji Adepoju.

This week's colourful outings follow the massive support received in Asa and Ilorin East LGA in the first week of Gobir's statewide campaign tour. According to Kwara YPP State Chairman, Chief Dele Ogunbayo, the campaign trail will move to Ilorin West and Edu LGA next week.

With the level of acceptability of Gobir's candidacy across the state, it is evident that Kwara 2023 governorship election would be about Aláànú Mèkúnù and the others.