A political scientist, Dr. Abubakar Lasiele, has has faulted the decisions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pick governorship candidates from the same local government area in Kwara State.
He argued that the two candidates would end up splitting votes within the same political base while leaving other politically strategic districts relatively open.
Lasiele spoke on the sidelines of the annual dinner and award night organised by the Third Estate in Ilorin, the state capital.
“I don’t see any political sense in the APC and ADC picking their candidates from the same local government area. No matter how you look at it, it is already an own goal for them.
“Both Engr. Yakubu Danladi and Hon. Zakari Mohammed are from Baruten local government area of Kwara State. They are both strong grassroots politicians in the area. What this means is that they will naturally divide the votes coming from there,” he said.
Lasiele also condemned the increasing politicisation of Eid prayer grounds, warning political actors against turning religious gatherings into campaign arenas.
“It is a desecration of the sanctity of the Eid ground for politicians to turn such spaces into campaign opportunities.
“I urge political stakeholders to exercise restraint and respect the sacredness of the space,” he said.
