KWARA State governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that the choice of candidates for the upcoming local government polls will be based strictly on merit. He made this declaration on Wednesday (June 16th, 2009) after a meeting of the State Executive Council of the Kwara State chapter People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking with members of the media after the meeting, Dr Bukola Saraki disclosed that local government elections had been scheduled for October by the state local government electoral commission. He further said that only by fielding credible candidates could the party attract wider support. According to him:

“It is when we put credible people at the helms of affair at the grass roots that the party would be able to get more support during the elections,”

He said the choice of candidates for the upcoming elections would be based strictly on good performance on the part of the personalities who would be given tickets to fly the banner of the PDP during the local government council elections in the state.

Dr Bukola Saraki futher said that he had consistently reminded political functionaries at the local government level of the need to be up and doing with respect to delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots. He said any aspirant who had failed the standard of performance set by the party would not be considered for the upcoming elections.