People of Alapata area and adjoining communities in Ilorin, Kwara State capital have pledged their unalloyed support for the state Labour Party governorship candidate, Comrade Issa Aremu mni.
This came to the fore on Tuesday during a rally organised by lovers and supporters of the party at Alapata Community to express their unflinching support to the candidature of Comrade Aremu in his bid to be the next governor of the state under the umbrella of Labour Party.
Aremu was accorded a rousing welcome in the community where he addressed teeming supporters shortly after he toured round some selected areas across the five local governments in Ilorin Emirate, which included Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South and Moro local government areas.
They described his candidature as a round peg in a round hole, saying that he is a labour leader, who exhibits passion about welfare and upkeep of the masses.
Speaking at the rally shortly after the governorship candidate and his teeming entourage returned from Afon, Eyenkonrin and some communities in Asa Local Government Area, Muhammed Abdullahi, the President, Alapata Community Development Association, promised that the community does not have another candidate except comrade Aremu.
The community president described Aremu as a worthy ambassador of the community and appealed to the people to support his aspiration.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Alapata Youth Forum, Hussein Abdulakeem, hinted that the youth of Alapata and its environments are solidly behind the candidature of Comrade Aremu.
Abdulakeem maintained that the youth of the areas have resolved to cast their votes for all Labour Party candidates, saying the party is the only political party that caters for the father, mother and child in its manifesto.
In his address, Comrade Issa Aremu, who was excited with the large number of supporters and his kinsmen, promised to initiate payment of monthly stipends to the aged to ensure good living for them if elected as governor in 2019.
He stated that the elderly in the society have right to live and survive with provision of financial assistance to them as practiced in civilised climes.
He also promised to offer monthly employment grant to unemployed youth in the state until they are able to secure jobs.
Aremu, who is Vice President, IndustrialL Global Union, lamented the rate of unemployment in the state and assured that his government would create massive jobs to discourage the youth against being lured into unwholesome ventures.
The labour leader cautioned against violence and act of destruction ahead of the conduct of elections, saying it behooves political actors and parties to engage in issue based politics.
The governorship hopeful, who stressed the need for free and fair election, said voters must be allowed to choose credible candidate among the contestants in the polls.
“I want to call on contestants of other parties to emulate what Labour Party is doing. Because it is about the people, it is about the issues. We have no basis to be engaging in unnecessary destruction and violence.
“I was addressing a rally here, and yet APC supporters were passing by but there was no clash. I think it is about matter of leadership, and the burden is on us, who are the leaders to manage our members and be focused that this election at the end of the day in Kwara, is about water for our people, it is about education for our children, it is about putting an end to absolute poverty.
“All the parties and contestants, we have the right to disagree on policy issues but we should not be disagreeable as individuals. Because this is all about our welfare, our collectivity. So, let the voters choose based on who is credible, who is organised and focused, and not about who can throw money around, invite thugs and cause confusion.
“We will make it as a matter of right for our people that those who have reached certain age, have the right to live and survive, and this is what civilised countries of the world have done, social security. This cannot be alone for the federal and I commend the Federal Government for doing that.
“But we should also key into it because they are our people. If you give them N5,000 or N10,000 per month, they can plan their lives peacefully. Then, there will be comprehensive health coverage for all of us, which means once you are a Kwara citizen, you have malaria, pneumonia, you have the right to comprehensive health coverage treatment for you. And the same treatment I will have as a governor is what ordinary people will have.
“Youth will collect employment grant if they don’t have jobs. If you get job, you must entitle to an employment grant, and this is what they do in Europe.
“We will dismantle all the barriers (at Government House). That Government House, we will make it people’s house. Government House is not Governor’s house. We will break that walls to let all know that it is people’s house. I’m not going to use siren. I will not use tinted vehicles”, Aremu said.
Also speaking, the state chairman of Labour Party, Comrade Abdulkareem Onagun, said the candidacy of Issa Aremu provided a rare opportunity for Kwarans to bring in good governance in the state.
Onagun also challenged the people of the state to be prayerful and warned against conduct that could truncate peace and tranquility.
Onagun said comrade Aremu is a fit candidate for the job, adding that he is well educated, widely traveled with sound exposure.
He expressed conviction that he would bring all his experiences and exposure to bear in turning around the fortunes of the state for the attainment of socio-economic development.
