Kwara stakeholders back Reps candidate over empowerment record

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Not a few political chieftains and supporters of the All Progressives Congress have thrown their weight behind the candidate for the Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, AbdulQuawiy Olododo.

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Some of the stakeholders who spoke with our correspondent said their support for Olododo stems from his record of youth empowerment, job creation and public service in the state.

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They specifically cited Olododo’s past interventions in agriculture, entrepreneurship and infrastructure which they lamposted as reasons he should be supported to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives.

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One of the major stakeholders who also spoke to Arewa PUNCH on Wednesday in Ilorin

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while expressing their support and endorsement was Kwara-based Abdulwaheed Sulaimon.

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Sulaimon said Olododo had been empowering the people and supporting young entrepreneurs long before his decision to seek an elective office.

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He argued that Olododo’s involvement in poverty alleviation and youth empowerment was not motivated by political ambition, saying the politician had been supporting people in his constituency before venturing into partisan politics.

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“I am not sure that Olododo had the ambition to represent his constituency when he was alleviating the poverty of his people,” Sulaimon said.

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“He did those things out of pure and genuine love and consideration for his people.”

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He reminded that Olododo had been involved in employment generation since completing the National Youth Service Corps, adding that his agricultural firm had created opportunities for young people interested in farming.

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According to him, Olododo assisted youths to secure farmlands and also supported them in marketing their farm produce.

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“During the period, Olododo encouraged the youths to secure farmlands through his assistance, as well as helped them to dispose of their produce afterwards,” he stressed.

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While commending his high level of integrity, Sulaimon insisted that, “Olododo was clean through the dealings; he never defrauded any beneficiaries. Today, they all remember and want him to represent them.”

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The stakeholder added that Olododo’s decision to seek election into the House of Representatives was largely influenced by his desire to create more opportunities for young people in the constituency.

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“He is coming into the political space purposely and largely because of the youths,” Sulaimon said.

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“As young as Olododo is, he is guarded by the elders and leaders, both in politics and communities in his constituency.”

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Sulaimon also recalled Olododo’s tenure as the General Manager of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, saying he facilitated access to grants and loans for entrepreneurs to establish and expand their businesses.

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He maintained that Olododo also recorded interventions in road infrastructure during his time as the state Commissioner for Works.

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“As Commissioner for Works, he ensured that interlocking road projects were scattered across the nooks and crannies of Ilorin to make access roads accessible,” Sulaimon pointed out.

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“The same was extended to the houses of traditional title holders in the state capital.”

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As a result, he urged residents of the Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency to support Olododo’s ambition in the 2027 general elections, saying his previous interventions had demonstrated his commitment to the development of the constituency.

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