Kwara Central 2023: Saliu Mustapha and His Rising Acceptability Rating By Jacob Oyewale

Mallam Saliu Mustapha needs no introduction in today’s Kwara Political, Social and Economic space. Saliu Mustapha who is the Turaki of Ilorin and APC Senatorial Candidate for Kwara Central in the 2023 general elections has endeared himself to the populace through his consistent ‘good deeds’.

Saliu Mustapha’s ‘good deeds’ transient politics because he has contributed significantly to his immediate community-Ilorin Emirate and this earned him the conferment of the prestigious Turaki title by Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari. He also touched the lives of the less privileged, vulnerable people in society and support upcoming entrepreneurs through Saliu Mustapha Foundation.

It’s therefore not surprising that his emergence as the ruling party Senatorial Candidate for Kwara Central covering Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ilorin East and Asa local government areas has destabilized the opposition party, thereby prompting them to consistently commits huge blunders in their attempt to discredit Mallam Saliu Mustapha. The series of unintelligent propaganda from the opposition camp usually backfired, hence placing the humane Business Mogul at advantage with an increasing acceptability rating among the electorates.

Recall that the attempt to reduce Kwara Central Senatorial district contest to competition of academic certificates jammed ‘social media agbako’ as different responses berate the handlers of the opposition candidate for their pettiness and diversionary approach ahead electioneering campaigns. Education is the best legacy! Having certificates is also good but the red chamber requires high level of social intelligence to add value and attract goodies for the constituents and constituency as a Senator.

For records, Mallam Saliu Mustapha met the requirements to vye for political office inline with provisions of 2022 Electoral Act. He is a trained Solid Minerals Engineer with track record in the sector and making huge impact as businessman with national exposure and network. He will be bringing his Social Capital, sound educational background and political network on board to step up quality representation in Kwara Central.

Unfortunately, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents sponsored a young man to record video to blackmail Mallam Saliu Mustapha by saying he was beaten by the humane, calm, gentle, soft hearted and easy going Ilorin East born politician during recent visit to Balogun Gambari. One can only sympathize with the PDP agents because of imminent defeat stirring at them ahead of 2023 general elections. It’s only people with low level of intelligence would believe that Mallam Saliu Mustapha exchanged blows with somebody. The Turaki of Ilorin is a definition of complete gentle man with good character and temperament.

The anti climax was that the PDP candidate took advantage of the young man by giving him N10,000 to produce staged video aimed at blackmailing Saliu Mustapha. This clearly shows the PDP has nothing meaningful to offer people of Kwara Central Senatorial district apart from their tokenism trademark to keep constituents below poverty line.

However, the APC Senatorial Candidate for Kwara Central, Mallam Saliu Mustapha on the other hand has displayed his commitment towards reducing poverty, empowering entrepreneurs, assisting the less privileged and supporting government to address challenges facing some communities.

For Saliu Mustapha, Doing It Differently is not mere campaign slogan but a genuine commitment to fast track more federal government presence to the district, use legislation to address challenges facing different communities and provide sustainable empowerment to his constituents.

Conclusively, Saliu Mustapha will continue his ‘good deeds’ amidst unintelligent propaganda from the oppositions because a kind heart would always offer kindness. He will not being himself because of political correctness. Turaki is a consistent philanthropist and politics would take the good away from him.