Following the ruling delivered by the Supreme Court on Friday in favour of the member of the House of Representatives representing Ilorin South/East Federal constituency of Kwara as the authentic winner of the All Progressives Congress Primary elections held on October 5, 2018 with his opponent, Hon. Abdulwaheed Jimmy Idiagbon faulting the outcome of the election.
Hon. Jimmy’s defiance to toe his party’s line saw him challenge Hon. Olododo’s victory from High court to the Supreme Court where he was finally on Friday dealt a huge blow as the country’s apex court struck out his application, affirming the victory of Hon. Olododo during the direct primaries held in Ilorin.
Hon. Jimmy, a relative of late general Babatunde Idiagbon has through a press release signed by himself submitted to the will of God by congratulating Hon. Olododo. He also maintained that he is ready to throw his weight behind the lawmaker in order to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people of Ilorin South/East Federal constituency and Kwara at large.
He further urged all and sundry to rally round the lawmaker in order to deliver effective representation to his constituents.
The statement read:
“Kindly recall that I contested the primary election to vie for the position of Honourable member into the House of Representatives for
Ilorin South/Ilorin East Federal Constituency under our great party, All Progressives Congress, APC which was held on 5th October, 2018.
Further recall that I clearly won that primary but which later became a subject of litigation which went as far as the Supreme Court.
On 19th July, 2019, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, being the final court of the land and the final bus stop of all litigations delivered a judgement in the pre-election matter brought before them wherein I challenged the substitution of my name with another candidate, having validly emerged from the conduct of the said primary elections.
The judgement was delivered in favour of Alhaji Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo who was the beneficiary of what we vehemently believe to be an unfair and illegal substitution of my name.
However, the Supreme court being the final court of the land has ruled and even though we entirely disagree with their decision, we accept it in good faith as the will of Almighty Allah.
It is important to state that every event is an experience and the experience may either be good or bad, whichever one that comes our way, we learn from it and never allow the encounter change our person. This outcome, however unpleasant it is will not change our focus and determination to continue to help our people and crave for selfless service for them in the best possible way for the collective wellbeing of everyone.
It is equally important to state very emphatically that the opportunity we crave to serve our people is not the one with pecuniary quest, but to demonstrate a service delivery prototype to the productive benefit of the people of Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency and beyond, whom we hold in highest esteem.
Having come this far and at this point, I wish to express my profound gratitude to my teaming supporters, well wishers, indefatigable constituents and honourable members of our great party who remain dogged even in the face of adversity.
Now that a position has been reached, I want to most patriotically urge everyone to close ranks and join hands with Hon. Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo and all the other elected officials, to move the state forward. We cannot afford to allow our political differences divide us further, we have to forge ahead and hope ahead, the better tomorrow that we all desire and for that greater heights should be our main focus. It is only a united house that can achieve all these, so we must be united.
At this point, I want to most warmly congratulate Hon. Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo and wish him the best as he represents our people of Ilorin South/Ilorin East Federal Constituency in the green chamber, I wish him good luck.
It is my honour and privilege to have enjoyed the supports of many people who made remarkable contributions towards our campaign. Let me say very faithfully that your prayers and supplications are not a waste, there is always a reason for everything Allah does and anything He does, we must not query him, He is the best Judge of every action and actor. I leave you with the verses of the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 4 Verses 58 & 135 to ponder and comfort.
Almighty Allah in His infinite mercy will shower His blessings on all of you who stood firmly by me, Ameen. My special gratitude and appreciation also to GOD ALMIGHTY, My Mother, my Wonderful wife and children, families and friends like brothers and sisters. You all have shown how wonderful and precious you are. If we ever have to do it again. I will ensure the team is complete just as we were. And most especially my unrelenting DG (our connection is now beyond Politics trust me). I’m indeed, very grateful and very proud of all of you.
I thank you all and wish you all the best at all times.
We possible steps and decision we have taken is for the best of us all.