From Rukayat AbdulRaheem and Lawrence Okedare
The Irepodun Local Government Area on Wednesday hosted a mega prayer session in honour of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with voter registration sensitisation also part of the programme.
The event, which was held at the council secretariat in Omu-Aran, brought together key political leaders, royal fathers, religious figures, and stakeholders from across Kwara State.
The programme was organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Hon. Abdulazeez Yakubu Tinuola and was widely hailed as a model of civic engagement and community collaboration.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Bukola Babalola who commended the initiative and urged residents to take full advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise to strengthen democratic participation.
The Planning Committee Chairman, Hon. Felix Omotayo Awodiji, expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support from party leaders, traditional rulers, and community actors.
He noted that the impressive turnout reflected the unity within the APC family in Irepodun and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to expanding grassroots participation, especially through wider voter registration.
Speaking at the event, the State Vice Chairman of the APC , Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, praised the Irepodun Local Government Chairman for his exemplary leadership and for emulating Governor AbdulRazaq’s performances since assuming office as Chairman of Irepodun.
He appealed to the people of the area to keep up their massive support for Governor AbdulRazaq and Hon. Tinuola.
He also conveyed the goodwill of the State Party Chairman, who was unavoidably absent, and offered prayers for the success of the local government administration.
Also speaking, Prince Shuaib Olarewaju highlighted the transformative achievements of Governor AbdulRazaq, noting that the governor had broken long-standing barriers in leadership.
He added that citizens above 40 could readily attest to the remarkable improvements recorded across the State under the present administration.
General Lasisi Abidoye (rtd.) commended the strides of the Kwara State Government, expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership.
He referenced the construction of two major roads in Omu-Aran as evidence of the governor’s commitment to the area and called for unity among APC stakeholders in the area.
The Guest Speaker and spiritual leader of the event, Sheikh Umar-Faruq Sulieman (Sohibul Bayan), urged residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and uphold their civic duties, especially voter registration.
Sheikh Sulieman noted that rather than resorting to insults, citizens should draw the attention of leaders to issues constructively, as verbal attacks erode the collective spirit of those in governance.
He urged the community to acknowledge the progress made in Irepodun over the last three years, emphasizing that credit must be given where due.
Sheikh Suleiman reminded the audience that leaders also build their own destinies through service, and that families and communities benefit from their sacrifices.
The cleric observed that Governor AbdulRazaq continues to rise because “good deeds pave the way for elevation,” noting that every public servant has an appointed time for progress.
He stressed that active political engagement remains the bedrock of sustainable community development and maintained that those seeking political positions should bear in mind that failure to attain their aspirations may simply mean “it is not yet your time.”
Those in attendance included the State Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari; the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Babatunde Olawale; Hon. Shola Odetundun, member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Irepodun; Hon. Yomi Adeboye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation (The Herald Newspapers); Dr. Tejidini Abdulwasiu Olayinka, General Manager, KWASSIP; the Senior Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Muka Ray and Alhaji Mahmud Mashood Alaka.
Also present were several former and serving council stakeholders such as Hon. Felix Tayo Awodiji, Comrade Babajide Oyinloye, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, and Prince Suleiman Babatunde Muhammad.
Major traditional rulers from Irepodun Local Government Area were also present including , the Elesie of Esie, His Royal Majesty Oba Yakub Babalola Egunjobi II; the Oloro of Oro, His Royal Majesty Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye (Olufayo II); the Alaran of Arandun, the Oloko of Oko-Irese, the Alapa of Omido, the Onijan of Ijan-Otun, the Onipetu of Ipetu-Igbomina, the Onirore of Rore, and the Alaran of Aran-Orin, signalling the highest echelon of traditional endorsement for civic mobilisation.
