A significant bloc within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong call, urging that the selection of the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election be based strictly on proven capacity and competence, dismissing the traditional arrangement of zoning the seat to a specific senatorial district.
KPLOT Advocates for Merit in 2027 Leadership
The group, known as the Kwara Political Leaders of Thought (KPLOT), made its position clear during an interaction with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday, December 19, 2025. Led by Mohammed Mariam Alhassan, KPLOT declared that its primary objective is to see an ideal leader emerge for the state in 2027, irrespective of their geographical origin within Kwara.
Alhassan stated that the concept of a capable leader is not confined to any district, emphasizing that “the 2027 governorship should not be based on zoning.” The group cautioned the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to exercise wisdom and be guided by this principle when considering who becomes the next governor.
Insecurity Crisis Demands Strategic Leadership
The leaders framed their argument around the severe security challenges plaguing Kwara State. They described the state as being “practically at war,” with communities from Edu to Patigi, Ifelodun to Isin, and Ekiti to Kaiama becoming epicenters of banditry and terrorism—a situation they called unprecedented.
“Wars are not won by convenience or sentiment, but by deliberate, strategic and competent leadership,” Alhassan asserted. He argued that the gravity of the crisis has eliminated any room for “emotional politics” or “turn-by-turn calculations.” The pressing need, according to the group, is for a leader who can effectively confront insecurity, rebuild public confidence in governance, and navigate the state toward a secure future.
The key questions, they posed, are: “Who has the competence to confront insecurity; who has the capacity to rebuild confidence in governance; who has the courage, experience, and vision to navigate Kwara State out of its present challenges?”
A Call for Unity and Neutrality
KPLOT firmly stated that the most qualified candidate could emerge from any part of the state—North, South, or Central—and should be supported without hesitation. “Limiting our choices based on zoning or primordial sentiment is dangerous, and the consequences will be borne by all Kwarans,” Alhassan warned.
In a related advisory, the group also called on traditional rulers in Kwara to maintain neutrality and avoid partisan politics. They reminded the monarchs that their strength lies in their moral authority and the trust of all their subjects, regardless of political affiliation. Dragging royal institutions into political battles, they cautioned, risks losing their unifying essence and the reverence they command.
This declaration sets the stage for a potentially contentious debate within the Kwara APC as the 2027 election cycle approaches, pitting the established practice of zoning against a growing demand for merit-based leadership in the face of a security emergency.
