The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has been returned unopposed to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ilesha /Gwanara state constituency in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The Returning Officer for Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency, Zakariyau Qazeem Yusuf, while declaring the results of the election explained that five delegates from each of the six wards in the constituency totaling 30 unanimously affirmed Engr. Danladi-Salihu as their candidate for the 2023 House of Assembly election.
In his acceptance speech, the Speaker thanked his constituents for always standing by him, while commending the party, INEC, and security agents for the peaceful arrangement and conduct of the process.
“I want to sincerely express my profound gratitude first to my constituents for their continued love and support and for believing in me to represent them in the next general election, by His grace, I’ll consolidate on what I have achieved so far and I’ll make sure I justify the confidence reposed in me”, Engr Danladi-Salihu noted.
“This is the most peaceful among the primary elections conducted so far. I, therefore, commend our great party, the largest party in Africa for the wonderful and solid arrangements made for this exercise. Similarly, I wish to acknowledge the presence and support of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security agents for a job well done, I thank you all and severally.”
The representative of the INEC who monitored the exercise, Mr. Danlami G. Zakka, described the process as “transparent, peaceful, and successful”.
Meanwhile, the member representing Okuta/Yashikira state constituency, Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu was also returned after defeating other aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket for the assembly race.
Hon Baba Salihu who is popularly known and addressed as “Baba Boriya” polled 30 votes as announced by the returning officer, Alhaji Toyin Ayinla in the primary election conducted by the party and monitored by INEC and other stakeholders and was adjudged to the free and fair.
Both Ilesha/Gwanara and Okuta/Yashikira state constituencies are in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.