A former military officer and National Secretary of the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council, Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun (Rtd), has asserted that the All Progressives Congress may struggle to retain Kwara State in the 2027 general elections unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Saliu Mustapha are central to its political strategy.
Edun made this statement during an interview with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, May 13, as reported by Legit.ng. He analyzed the political landscape ahead of the next general election, emphasizing the importance of key figures.
Tinubu's Political Goodwill
Edun argued that President Tinubu continues to enjoy strong political goodwill across Kwara State, which could significantly influence the outcome of APC candidates on the ballot. According to him, the President's performance and influence would play a decisive role in shaping voter sentiment in the state's three senatorial districts.
“What the President has done for Kwara State in the last three years, there is hardly anyone else that has done same for the state before in history,” Edun said. He maintained that Tinubu's presence on the ballot would naturally strengthen the party's chances, particularly in National Assembly elections.
Federal Appointments Highlighted
The retired officer pointed to several federal appointments of Kwara indigenes under the current administration as evidence of the state's significant benefits. Among those mentioned were Attorney-General of the Federation Abdul-Lateef Fagbemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Bayo Ojulari, and Director-General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation Biodun Ajiboye. He also referenced Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun of TETFund, along with appointments in agencies like the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Call for Strong Candidates
Edun insisted that the APC would be better positioned for 2027 if both Tinubu and Senator Saliu Mustapha were firmly on the party's ticket. “This is why the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council found the two of them worthy of our endorsement. We are unequivocal about it and there is no going back on it despite pressure to do otherwise,” he said.
He added that while the council is not aligned to any political bloc, it will continue to support candidates committed to the development of the Ilorin Emirate. Edun also cautioned the APC against fielding unpopular or weak candidates, stressing that the quality of nominees would significantly influence the party's performance in the 2027 elections.
