Berlin Wall of Kwara broken, says Lai after APC bye-election victory

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has broken the “Berlin Wall” of Kwara politics following its victory in the state’s bye-election.

The political landscape of Kwara had been controlled by Senate President Bukola Saraki, and before him, Olusola Saraki, his late father.

But on Saturday, the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the house of representatives bye-election in the state.

The ruling party also won the bye-elections in Katsina and Bauchi states.

Speaking after the election, Mohammed was quoted by The Nation as saying: “It was the will of the people that prevailed. God has turned the seemingly political impregnability of Saraki’s dynasty to foolishness. APC is God-ordained for this state and the country.

“With this victory you have broken the Berlin Wall and same will repeat itself in 2019 elections.”

Speaking in the same vein, the presidency said the APC victory in the three states had shattered any assumptions of a PDP return to power in 2019.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said in a statement made available to NAN: “By voting overwhelmingly for the ruling APC, Nigerians have shown their confidence in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and their willingness for continuation of this government and its policies.

“This clear show of support can only be a synopsis of what Nigerians should expect in the forthcoming elections, at all levels.

“I would like to use this opportunity to remind Nigerians that there will always be a winner and a loser in every election, an individual and a party with the highest votes and another with the lowest.

“That is what democracy is about. Therefore, all aspirants should approach elections with the mindset that they could either win or lose.

“I thank Nigerians all over the country for believing in this government and in its determined effort to pull our nation out of the mess left behind by 16 years of PDP government, and into the greatness that is our destiny.”