Kwara APC crisis deepens as stakeholders reject ‘imposition plot’ ahead of 2027

Fresh cracks have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, as stakeholders from Kwara South Senatorial District rejected what they described as a calculated attempt to impose a governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the group expressed concern over what it called “selective consultations and premature endorsements,” particularly following a reported meeting in Ajase where support was allegedly mobilised for the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

The stakeholders argued that the process leading to such endorsements lacked inclusiveness and transparency, warning that sidelining key party actors could deepen divisions within the APC.

“We are not against anyone’s ambition, but we reject any move that seeks to impose a candidate through backdoor arrangements,” the statement said, stressing that the party must adhere to democratic principles in choosing its flagbearer.

The development comes at a sensitive political moment in Kwara, where longstanding debates over zoning and equity have intensified as the 2027 governorship race begins to take shape.

Kwara’s political structure is built around three major blocs – Kwara Central, Kwara South, and Kwara North – with each region seeking representation at the state’s highest office. While Kwara Central has dominated the governorship since 1999, Kwara South governed between 2011 and 2019. Kwara North, however, has yet to produce a governor in the current democratic era.

This imbalance has fueled calls for power rotation, particularly from Kwara North, where political leaders argue that fairness demands a shift in leadership.

Amid these tensions, commentary by Farooq A. Kperogi has added another layer to the debate, suggesting that alleged efforts linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to influence the emergence of a candidate from Kwara South could disrupt the state’s delicate political balance.

Kperogi warned that any perceived imposition based on ethnic considerations, especially in a state as diverse as Kwara, could provoke resistance from multiple regions, including Kwara North and parts of Kwara Central.

He highlighted the state’s unique demographic composition, noting that while Kwara South is largely Yoruba, Kwara North comprises a mix of ethnic groups such as Nupe, Baatonu, Fulani, and Bokobaru, many of whom have long felt excluded from political power.

Against this backdrop, the Kwara South stakeholders insisted that the selection of the APC governorship candidate must be open, competitive, and guided by merit rather than predetermined arrangements.

“The process must be driven by competence, credibility, and the ability to unite the state, not by endorsements engineered behind closed doors,” they said.

They also warned that early endorsements and perceived imposition could create fault lines within the party at a time when unity is critical for electoral success.

Beyond the political contest, the group pointed to ongoing developmental challenges in Kwara South, including infrastructure gaps, unemployment, and security concerns, arguing that the next governor must possess the vision and capacity to address these issues.

The stakeholders further cautioned that any attempt to undermine internal democracy could erode trust within the party and weaken its electoral chances in 2027.

They called on the APC leadership at both state and national levels to intervene and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.

“The future of the party should not be decided by a few individuals. It must reflect the collective will of members and stakeholders across the state,” the statement added.