By Abdulsamad Abdulmalik
Political analysts in Kwara State have urged political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to strengthen internal democracy and allow party members to freely choose candidates during primary elections.
The call was made on Thursday during SBS FM Newspaper Review and Analysis programme monitored by reporter Abdulsamad Abdulmalik.
Political analyst, Comrade Olaitan Arije, warned that the APC’s voting strength in Kwara State appears to be declining compared to previous election cycles, stressing the need for the party to reorganise and strengthen its structures ahead of future elections.
Arije said political parties must create an enabling environment for transparent primaries to sustain public confidence and internal unity.
Also speaking on the programme, legal practitioner, Barrister Ayuba Jabaje, noted that no political party remains in power permanently, urging the APC to learn lessons from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following its loss of power at the national level.
He stressed that whoever emerges as Kwara State governor in the future should prioritise the welfare of the people rather than personal interests.
“The position of governor is for service to the masses, not personal gain,” Jabaje said.
He argued that Kwara State has continued to experience developmental challenges due to what he described as underperformance by successive administrations.
Jabaje also expressed concerns about the strength of opposition parties in the state, suggesting that many have not developed structures strong enough to effectively challenge the ruling party.
On the economy, Comrade Arije linked rising inflation to global developments, particularly tensions involving Iran and the United States.
According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria is deploying monetary policies to manage inflation and money supply, although economic conditions continue to impact citizens’ living standards.
Jabaje, on his part, argued that some foreign economic models may not adequately address Nigeria’s realities.
He called on political leaders to ensure prudent management of public resources while urging citizens to hold public officials accountable.
According to him, both political leaders and citizens share responsibility for addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.
