The presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua yesterday in Ilorin told thousands of supporters and party faithfuls that he would serve Nigerians with “absolute fear of God” if elected in the April elections.

Yar'Adua who is also the incumbent governor of Katsina State arrived the Kwara State capital at about 1:00pm accompanied by his running mate and governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the host governor, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital in continuation of their nationwide campaign tour.

Addressing the people shortly after he and Jonathan were presented by the National Chairman of PDP, Senator (Dr) Ahmadu Ali as the apogee of the rally, the presidential hopeful said Kwara is the home and "happy to be here," expressing his "special appreciation" to the leader and Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki; the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Afolabi

Ogundeji and the entire people of Kwara State for their support. He vowed to let the people down in the concerted effort to move the country to greater heights. "I thank you for the confidence reposed in me and my brother and colleague, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I assured you we are not going to betray you. assure you we are true dedicated Nigerians who love Nigeria and its people.

"I also want to assure you that I will contend with and discharge my duties with absolute fear of God. The era of ruling
elite is over. I will see myself as servant to you if elected as president. Yar'Adua also promised to continue with the reforms started by President Olusegun Obasanjo which, according to him, have been entrenched into the constitution of the PDP, reiterating his commitment to see Nigeria rank among the 10 most developed nations in the world in the next few years.

Earlier in his remarks the host, Governor Bukola Saraki, amidst defening ovation from supporters, said it is good to know that the entire Kwara State is with Yar'Adua and Jonathan and solidly behind President Olusegun Obasanjo who he described as a leader of the country.

He noted that Yar'Adua is a man that stands for integrity, believes in fairness and fear of God, while being optimistic that
victory is certain because "our people have seen the difference between the administration of a different party and that of the PDP.

Also in his remarks the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmadu Ali prayed for Kwara State against enemies, declaring that "anyone who is not here is nobody". He said Governor Saraki is in national campaign team because he has been tested, trusted and reliable, urging party members to ensure that not less than 90 per cent of the 1.4 million registered voters vote for PDP in the coming general elections.

Ali, however, stated that the doors of his party are wide open at all times for those he called "our former friends who got
lost in the bush," adding that 'whenever they seek us we would receive them." Former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Sha'aba Lafiagi, while speaking for the North Senatorial District highlighted the good virtues of Yar'Adua whom he described as serious-minded, committed, focused and consistent, calling everyone to support and vote for him in April.

  Also, a former Minister of State for Health, Dr (Mrs) Amina Ndalolo pledge to mobilize the women folk to vote for Yar'Adua and Governor Saraki, inferring that women in the state have benefited a lot from PDP administrations both at federal and state levels.

Alhaji Kola Yusuf representing Kwara South and Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape for the Central Zone separately observed that PDP is capable of winning both governorship and presidential elections, as it has done before, vowing to ensure that more input is made in 2007.

Also in their remarks, the PDP National Vice Chairman, North Central, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji and the state campaign coordinator, Alhaji Ladi Hassan separately charged the people to vote the duo of Yar'Adua and Jonathan to ensure continuity.