Yahaya Seriki, a former candidate for governor from the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, has announced his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, stating that the President merits another term in office.
Seriki, who also serves as the North-Central Coordinator of the City Boys Movement and is the Chairman of Kursi Group, mentioned that Nigeria has not seen such strong policy direction under any previous administration. He is hopeful that these policies will lead to improvements in the country.
He shared his thoughts during an empowerment event in Ilorin on Saturday, where he revealed a package worth over N4 billion, which includes N1 billion in cash along with around N3.2 billion in equipment and other resources.
The package includes at least 150 vehicles, sewing machines, and various tools designed to assist beneficiaries in their businesses and economic activities.
Seriki highlighted that this initiative aims to help individuals advance in their pursuits while also giving back to the community that supported him on his journey.
“The purpose of the empowerment is to help people progress in their own way. All I am doing here is giving back to the society that brought me on board. In life, when God blesses you, and you have enough, failing to make other people smile means you are poor. Making other people smile is one of the things I strongly believe in and love doing,” he said.
Regarding the 2027 presidential election, the former governorship candidate expressed his belief that the Tinubu administration has shown a strong dedication to improving the country’s situation through its policies.
“If you look at it, you will see that we have never gotten it right like this in the history of Nigeria. We have never had a president who believes in a better Nigeria. If you look at the policies, you will see that we have never had it like this before. He is a president who strongly believes in changing the narrative for the better. With the policies we have in place, I can tell you that Nigeria is looking even greater,” Seriki said.
He mentioned that the empowerment program was also a way to show his support for Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima as the 2027 general election approaches.
“This empowerment is being carried out in support of President Bola Tinubu. To tell the truth, I come from Kwara, Ilorin, Gambari. What I want to say is that we Kwarans stand together and believe in unity. Nigeria is our only home. We have never been this united before. We, the younger generation, are asking our people to recognize that President Bola Tinubu is the only leader we have,” he stated.
Seriki also said he invited people from different political backgrounds to join the event and expressed his hope for divine guidance for the state’s leadership.
“I made sure to invite everyone. No one was left out. I pray that God guides the Governor of our state. I also send my regards to our leader, Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki. I hope God protects and directs our leaders in Ilorin Emirate. I’m not speaking directly about anyone specific, but what I plan to do is already clear in my mind,” he added.
In addition, Seriki rejected claims that the Rainbow Coalition, known as G15, had fallen apart in Kwara State, stating that its members remained united.
He spoke amid questions surrounding the coalition’s activities and his involvement, saying its members were present at the empowerment programme.
“I said that members of the G15 are present here. Whoever says the coalition has crashed in the state is out of his mind. Our leader in the G15, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, is also here,” Seriki said.
Oloriegbe, the former Senator for Kwara Central Senatorial District, spoke out against the idea that their group had become inactive. He emphasized that all members of the coalition are still dedicated, even though some could not attend the meeting.
“My presence here stands for all members of the G15. While some are here, others are busy with different commitments. We remain united and strong,” he explained.
Regarding the group’s plans for the upcoming 2027 governorship and legislative elections in the state, Oloriegbe said their main focus is to ensure that Saliu Mustapha gets re-elected as senator for Kwara Central.
“For 2027, we are putting in a lot of effort to help Senator Saliu Mustapha get re-elected for Kwara Central. For everyone else, we aim for progress and a better Kwara. Our motto is ‘Greater Kwara’,” Oloriegbe stated.
He also criticized rival groups’ political slogans, suggesting that their calls for moving forward do not guarantee real progress for the state.
“Some people are chanting, ‘We are going forward,’ but going forward doesn’t always mean making progress. Their version of moving forward just leads to more problems,” he added.
Oloriegbe went on to say that the Rainbow Coalition serves as a different political option for those who, in his view, were unfairly denied tickets during the APC selection process.
“We, at the G15, are moving forward and we are dedicated members of the APC. The Rainbow Coalition is focused on our people who were unjustly denied tickets in the APC, so we need to find another way. The Rainbow offers an alternative route to achieving success for our state,” he stated.
When asked about Mustapha’s chances of keeping his seat in 2027, Oloriegbe showed confidence in the senator’s future, rejecting the idea that being an incumbent would decide the election.
“Insha Allah, we have faith. Senator Saliu Mustapha will win Kwara Central in 2027. We succeeded in 2019, even against an incumbent, and we will do it again in 2027,” he said.
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