Kwara APC Stakeholders Threaten Showdown Over 2027 Governorship Zoning Plan
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara Central Senatorial District have issued a stern warning to the party leadership, threatening a major confrontation over alleged plans to zone the 2027 governorship seat to Kwara South. The group, which includes members of the APC Elders Caucus and other key figures, has declared that any such move will be met with strong resistance and could severely damage the party's prospects in the upcoming general elections in Kwara State.
Extraordinary Meeting in Ilorin Sparks Strong Opposition
Following an extraordinary meeting held in Ilorin on Monday, the forum released a communiqué expressing deep concerns about the proposed zoning arrangement. They argued that zoning the governorship to Kwara South would constitute a grave injustice against Kwara Central and Kwara North, especially since Kwara South has already benefited significantly from the current administration.
The communiqué was signed by Alhaji Mustapha Kobe as Chairman, Alhaji Razaq Lawal as Coordinator, and Alhaji Gani Alawo as Secretary. In it, the stakeholders stated, "Zoning the governorship seat to Kwara South, which remains the largest beneficiary of the present administration in terms of plum federal appointments, would be nothing but crude injustice to the other two zones—Kwara Central and Kwara North."
Federal Appointments Highlight Perceived Imbalance
The group detailed a list of key federal appointments currently held by individuals from Kwara South to underscore their point. These include:
- The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
- The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)
- Positions in the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA)
- Roles in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)
- Seats on the Federal Character Commission
They noted that Kwara Central and Kwara North have tolerated this perceived imbalance out of loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as their commitment to maintaining party unity. However, the forum cautioned that such patience should not be taken for granted, warning that continued neglect could lead to unrest.
Electoral Strength and Party Unity at Stake
The stakeholders emphasized the critical role of Kwara Central and Kwara North in delivering electoral victories for the APC. The communiqué stated, "For clarity, the bulk of the votes that delivered victory to the APC in 2019 and 2023 came from Kwara Central and Kwara North. It is important to retain this voting strength ahead of the 2027 elections."
They also warned party leaders at both state and federal levels against making decisions that could inadvertently strengthen opposition parties by selecting a governorship candidate from Kwara South. While commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his performance and efforts in sustaining the APC's dominance in Kwara State, the forum stressed that any actions capable of undermining party unity and electoral strength must be avoided at all costs.
Reaffirmation of Support Amidst Tensions
Despite the brewing conflict, the group reaffirmed its support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and pledged to work diligently towards ensuring the APC's victory in all elective positions in Kwara State during the 2027 elections. They also offered prayers for continued guidance for both the President and the governor, highlighting a desire for resolution within the party framework.
This development signals a potential internal crisis within the Kwara APC, as stakeholders push for fair representation and equitable distribution of political opportunities ahead of the crucial 2027 polls.
