Former Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, Babatunde Mohammed is the new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State.
Mohammed emerged chair through a consensus arrangement by the party’s stakeholders.
The arrangement has Umaru Gunu Mohammed as deputy chairman and Alhaji Abdulrazak Lawal, in-law to former Governor, Late Mohammed Lawal, as party secretary.
The spokesperson of the party Tunde Ashaolu retains his office.
Other officers elected under the arrangement include Bisi Fakayode, chairman Kwara South senatorial zone; Baba Jimoh, chairman, Kwara North senatorial zone and Haliru Dansoho, as Youth Leader.
In his remark at the end of the congress, former Senate President Bukola Saraki said that work has begun in earnest.
“As soon as you leave this venue work should begin.
“The peaceful conduct of this Congress has confirmed to me that we are indeed ready to take back power in Kwara,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, the new chairman said that he was not unawares of the tasks ahead but said that he was ready to do what is necessary.
“We will start work from the grassroots and work our walk our way up.
“We will use the next local government to tell Kwara people that we are back,” he said.
Affirming the arrangement and election of the party executives, Hon John Akwarashi, leading the election committee of national headquarters of PDP, said that it was gratifying that the information they heard from Abuja that Kwara was choosing the consensus option was confirmed in Ilorin.
Also affirming, Mallam Shehu Abdulkadir, team leader from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said that it was its duty to observe and ascertain if the officers were chosen through laid down procedure of the party rules.
“From what we have seen it clear that the choice by consensus is the overwhelming choice of the party members,” he said.