A group known as the Kwara Citizens Movement for Ethical Politics and Good Governance (KCMEPGG) has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to avoid political suicide by selecting Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, as the party's preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
In a statement, the group stressed that the APC must not engage in political self-destruction, asserting that the people of Kwara State deserve a more suitable candidate. The emergence of KCMEPGG comes just 24 hours after the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council (IEPAC) endorsed the federal lawmaker as the next governor.
KCMEPGG stated that it was compelled to raise this challenge in the overriding public interest and in defense of truth, integrity, and the future of Kwara State. The group expressed alarm over what it described as dangerous political scheming orchestrated by Senator Saliu Mustapha and his collaborators to manipulate the 2027 governorship process.
The group added: "This is no longer politics. This is an attempt to deceive the Presidency; this is an attempt to blackmail the leadership of the APC and hoodwink Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. This is an attempt to impose a deeply controversial and morally burdened candidate on the people of Kwara State through propaganda, financial inducement, and calculated misinformation."
KCMEPGG noted that Kwara State must not be sacrificed on the altar of deceit. The group posed several questions: "Who really is Senator Saliu Mustapha? Before the 2023 elections, what verifiable record of transparent enterprise, public service, or known economic contribution existed in his name? What established business institution was publicly known and operational under his stewardship? What visible industrial footprint existed in Kwara State under his leadership? What legacy of employment generation or community development was associated with him before his sudden political rise? Kwarans deserve answers; Nigerians deserve answers; and the Presidency deserves to know the truth."
The group also expressed concern over credible reports and pictorial evidence showing Mustapha fraternizing with Dr. Bukola Saraki, a leading opposition figure, in a manner suggesting an exchange of sensitive party information and internal strategic positions while simultaneously positioning himself for leadership within the APC.
KCMEPGG urged the APC to field a candidate with unquestionable loyalty, transparent antecedents, a known history of enterprise, verifiable record of service, genuine grassroots acceptance, integrity under scrutiny, respect for party leadership, respect for the governor, respect and loyalty for the President, and ultimately genuine respect for the people. The group warned that anything less would amount to political suicide.
