The governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party in Kwara State, Hakeem Lawal, has stepped down from the 18 March governorship race.
Lawal, a son of the former Governor of Kwara State, noted that during his recent radio interview in Ilorin, “I duly informed members of the public that whatever step I would take would be determined by the decision of all candidates, especially the House of Assembly candidates of the Social Democratic Party of which I am the Governorship flagbearer.
“We have also consulted widely. We have talked with some National Officers of the party and my supporters among the trade unions, traditional rulers, market associations and religious bodies.
“However, events of the past few weeks proved me wrong. I became persona non grata, the moment some people within the party realized that monies sourced solely for the purpose of electioneering would not be shared among them. I thank God that this attitude came to the fore now and not after we might have won the election as I wondered what they would have done to the Kwara State treasury. Their interest is not in winning the election and elevating our people from their suffering but in enriching themselves now.
“To this end therefore, I call on all my supporters to exercise their rights by voting on Saturday 18th March 2023 for any governorship candidate of their choice to emerge victorious at the poll. This I wish without any gratification but for the good of our state” he said.
