Kwara State Governorship Primary Election Postponed by APC
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled the governorship primary election in Kwara State, moving it from Thursday to Friday. This announcement was confirmed by Prince Sunday Fagbemi, the state party chairman, during a press briefing in Ilorin. He noted that the national office instructed the postponement, although the specific reasons for the delay were not disclosed.
In a subsequent statement from Alhaji Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, the party’s press secretary, it was formally announced that the gubernatorial primary election originally set for May 21, 2026, would now take place on May 22, 2026. Babatunde emphasized the importance of caution among party members and candidates in light of the changes.
Shortly before the newly scheduled primary, the race saw an unexpected shift as eight candidates withdrew their candidacies. Prominent figures such as Ambassador Yahaya Serieki, Senator Saliu Mustapha, and Alhaji Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, among others, solidified their commitments to supporting Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, following the withdrawal of several other aspirants. This movement included notable names like Dr. Salako Muideen Oluwatoyin and Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, highlighting a significant reshuffling among contenders.
The last-minute withdrawals have escalated tensions among supporters aligned with various aspirants. Despite these developments, the lead-up to the postponed primaries took on a festive atmosphere, with supporters of Serieki, Mustapha, Sanni, and Bolarinwa gathering to show their allegiance. In various wards across Ilorin, party members celebrated as a community, displaying posters and chanting songs in support of their candidates.
In Gambari Ward 11, located in Ilorin East, a vibrant assembly of Hausa speakers and visually impaired individuals gathered at the designated polling venue early in the morning. The area buzzed with enthusiasm as participants prepared for the primaries, with campaigning expected to commence around noon statewide. Abubakar Gobir Sokoto, a visually impaired party member, expressed the importance of democratic participation, emphasizing the significance of the election process for the community.
Sympathetic voices echoed through the wards, with chants of “Sai Yahaya” resonating among supporters in Adewole and Alananmu wards of Ilorin West. The palpable excitement surrounding the event reflected the candidates’ diverse support bases. Reports from the Kwara South Senatorial District indicated a formidable consolidation of party members rallying behind former state party chairman Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, showcasing a strong show of force in anticipation of the upcoming gubernatorial election.
In Oyun Local Government Area, party enthusiasts from various wards—including Erin-Ile, Ipe, and Illah—converged to participate in the electoral exercise. As candidates prepared for the revised date, a robust turnout at polling stations was observed, overseen by party officials and security personnel. The increased attendance has been interpreted by APC members as a clear indication of Bolarinwa’s bolstered support among the party ranks in the region, highlighting the dynamics at play as the party gears up for the 2027 governorship election.
