The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has named Reverend Cornelius Fawenu as the running mate for its governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, ahead of the 2027 elections.
This announcement came in a statement released on Wednesday in Ilorin by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara.
Adewara mentioned that Fawenu was chosen after thorough discussions with party leaders and stakeholders from all three senatorial districts in the state.
According to the statement, Kawu formally presented Fawenu as his choice for deputy governor in a letter to the state party chairman. This followed what the party called extensive consultations with key party members and stakeholders.
Kawu described Fawenu in the letter as a leader with strong integrity and impressive leadership skills.
He said, "Rev. Fawenu is a man of proven integrity, humility, compassion and exceptional leadership whose emergence reflects the party’s commitment to presenting a competent, inclusive and people-oriented ticket capable of restoring purposeful governance to Kwara State."
The PDP noted that Fawenu, who hails from Babaloma in Ifelodun Local Government Area, currently serves as the Kwara South Senatorial Chairman of the party. He will partner with Kawu, who is the Daniyan of Ilorin and was earlier announced as the party's governorship candidate.
The party stated that the selection process was inclusive and involved the governorship candidate and important stakeholders from Kwara North, Kwara Central, and Kwara South.
"The emergence of Reverend Fawenu followed extensive consultations, deliberations and a rigorous selection process involving the party’s governorship candidate and critical stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the state," the statement read.
The PDP added that the Kawu-Fawenu ticket shows its commitment to competence, inclusiveness, and balanced representation.
"The Kawu-Fawenu ticket combines experience, innovation, grassroots engagement and religious balancing. The party has positioned itself to rescue and secure Kwara and its people from the current misgovernance and insecurity," the statement explained.
The party revealed that Fawenu, who is 53 years old, was one of four notable candidates considered for the deputy governorship role before being selected as the top choice.
It emphasized that Fawenu was picked based on his leadership skills, loyalty to the party, dedication to its values, and contributions to peaceful governance, religious harmony, and community growth throughout the state.
A graduate in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Fawenu leads the Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church in Ilorin and has previously served as the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
The PDP stated that he has spent over 23 years in ministry, advocating for interfaith dialogue, promoting peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians, and collaborating with traditional leaders and communities to foster peace and development.
The party expressed confidence that its gubernatorial ticket has the skills and integrity to govern the state if elected.
"The Kawu/Fawenu ticket embodies the competence, integrity, experience and inclusive leadership required to rescue Kwara State from the last eight years of hardship and insecurity and place it firmly on the path of sustainable development, economic prosperity, social justice and accountable governance."
"The Peoples Democratic Party therefore calls on all party members, supporters and all well-meaning Kwarans to rally behind this formidable ticket as the movement to reclaim and reposition Kwara State gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections," the statement concluded.
The Muslim-Christian ticket is expected to increase the PDP’s appeal across the state’s religious and regional divides as it aims to expand its support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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