APC Governorship Candidates Express Concerns Over Party Crisis in Kwara State
Ten gubernatorial candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have raised alarms about a growing crisis within the party. They assert that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has lost both his moral and political authority, casting doubt on his ability to influence the party’s future as the 2027 general elections approach.
In a formal petition submitted to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the candidates cautioned that the party risks further fragmentation without immediate national intervention. Their collective message underscores the urgent need for action to stabilize the APC’s standing in Kwara State.
The signatories of the petition include notable figures such as Dr. Oluwatoyin Tajudeen Alabi, Captain Ahmad Mahmood, and Senator Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe, among others. These aspirants have reiterated their loyalty to President Tinubu and his administration, imploring him to step in amid a political crisis that threatens the party’s electoral viability.
As part of their address, the candidates criticized the party’s gubernatorial selection process, asserting that it lacked inclusiveness and fostered underlying tensions among stakeholders. They underscored the importance of unity within the party, which they believe is essential for advancing APC’s interests in Kwara State.
Expressing continued support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, the candidates reaffirmed their commitment to the “New Hope” agenda, viewing it as integral to Nigeria’s developmental progress. They advocated for a unified approach that reinstates the ideals set forth during the transformative “Otoge” political movement that enabled the APC’s initial success in the state.
The candidates highlighted that the collaborative effort that led to the APC’s victory in Kwara is at risk of collapse due to internal divisions. They lamented that key political stakeholders who once contributed significantly to the party’s establishment have been marginalized, a situation they argue undermines the APC’s grassroots support and empowers opposition forces.
In a moment of critical assessment, the group declared that Governor Abdulrazaq has forfeited control over the party’s political apparatus in the state. They called upon President Tinubu to intervene decisively, stressing the urgent need for an overhaul of the gubernatorial selection process aimed at restoring internal cohesion. The aspirants expressed their willingness to support consensus candidates endorsed by the president, which they believe would unite the party and secure electoral victories in upcoming elections.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Communication, Mr. Ibraheem Abdullatif, responded by stating that President Tinubu has already endorsed the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu. He urged dissenting stakeholders to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation, emphasizing the importance of party unity as they prepare for the 2027 elections.
This current turmoil in the Kwara APC is compounded by allegations regarding the party’s handling of primaries and the apparent exclusion of key stakeholders, leading to increased mistrust within the organization. The Coalition of Aggrieved Aspirants has already convened with party elders in Abuja, where they rejected an existing draft agreement and called for a more transparent and inclusive selection process, further illustrating the divisions that threaten the APC’s stability.
