A political scientist and former senior lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Lasiele, has cautioned that the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to field governorship candidates from the same local government area in Kwara state could weaken both parties' electoral chances.
Political Miscalculation Warning
Dr Lasiele described the development as a major political miscalculation, warning that it could lead to a split in their core voting base. Speaking on the sidelines of an annual dinner and award night organised by The Third Estate in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Lasiele said the situation amounted to an own goal for both parties. He stated, "I don't see any political sense in the APC and ADC picking their candidates from the same local government area, it is already an own goal for them."
Same Base, Shared Votes
Lasiele noted that the APC candidate, Engr. Yakubu Danladi, and the ADC candidate, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, are both from Baruten local government area in Kwara state. According to him, both men are strong grassroots politicians who will likely compete for the same bloc of votes in Kwara North, effectively dividing their support base. He explained, "Both Engr. Yakubu Danladi and Hon. Zakari Mohammed are from Baruten local government area, they will naturally divide the votes coming from there." He added that Zakari Mohammed may have a slight advantage due to his past political experience as a former member of the House of Representatives for the Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency.
Call for Stronger Candidate Assessment
The political analyst urged parties to prioritise individual candidate strength over party structure or influence from political godfathers. "The critical question parties should ask is this: without incumbency or godfather backing, can this candidate stand on his own and win an election?" he said. He argued that party machinery, funding, and incumbency advantages should be secondary considerations after a candidate's personal electoral appeal is established.
Warning Against Politicising Religious Spaces
Lasiele also criticised the growing trend of using Eid prayer grounds for political activities, describing it as inappropriate. "It is a desecration of the sanctity of the Eid ground for politicians to turn such spaces into campaign opportunities," he said, urging restraint among political actors across parties. He called on stakeholders in the APC, PDP, and other political groups to respect the religious significance of such gatherings.
Speaker Danladi Emerges APC Candidate
Earlier, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, emerged as the governorship candidate of the APC for the 2027 election in the state. Danladi was declared the winner of the party's governorship primary held at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin on Friday evening, May 22, after polling 94,990 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, who secured 41,700 votes. Another aspirant, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, garnered 22,118 votes. The results were announced by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, chairman of the APC governorship primary election committee in Kwara state.
