I will not to contest any elective position in 2019 - Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has made it clear that his mission as new leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara is not to contest any elective position in 2019.

The minister stated this on Thursday in Ilorin at a meeting of Congress of Kwara Progressives, stating that his priority is to take the state from those who had milked it dry, NAN reports.

“What an auspicious time for all of us! Never before, have we had a great opportunity like we have now to take our state back from the rapacious few, who have held the state by the jugular and prevented it from meeting the hopes and aspirations of its people.

“From my consultations with key stakeholders so far, I can say, categorically, that Kwarans have all resolved to take their destiny into their own hands and take back what rightly belongs to them.

“This is unprecedented in the history of our state, and we must not waste this opportunity.

“On my own part, I can say here, without equivocating, that I won’t be running for any office during the forthcoming elections.

“For me, it is not about any clamour for office. It is about working with all like minds for the greater benefit of our people

”I can tell you that if we all remain united, we can’t and we won’t lose the looming battle for the survival of our dear state.

“All that is required is for us all to subordinate our individual ambitions to the collective efforts to wrest our state from the hegemony of one man and his cohorts,” he said.

The minister further warned the people that the battle ahead would be tough but, encouraged them that “the power of the people supersedes all powers” and the mission to rescue Kwara from grinding poverty and make it a better place for all, is achievable.

“The fightback has already begun, in the form of blackmail and fake news.

“They say I do not like Ilorin people. But what they do not know is that no amount of cheap blackmail will deter us.

“The people of Ilorin should know who their friends are. I do not hate the good people of Ilorin,” he added.