Senator Saliu Mustapha has firmly denied any involvement in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara Central senatorial primary election, reiterating his commitment to contesting the Kwara State governorship election in 2027. The lawmaker, a frontline aspirant for the APC governorship ticket in Kwara, stated unequivocally that he remains in the race and will participate in the party's gubernatorial primary scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Clarification on Senate Primary Reports
Mustapha dismissed widespread reports claiming he either withdrew from or lost the APC Kwara Central Senatorial primary election held in Ilorin. He insisted that he never participated in that contest, emphasizing that his political focus has always been on the governorship race. The senator, who currently represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, clarified that the only APC nomination forms he obtained were for the governorship election ahead of the 2027 general polls. He also confirmed that he successfully underwent the party's governorship screening exercise in Abuja earlier this month.
Background of the Confusion
The clarification came after a purported list of cleared senatorial aspirants surfaced online, bearing Mustapha's name alongside that of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. This triggered speculation across political circles, especially as government officials had earlier maintained that Governor AbdulRazaq was the sole aspirant for the Kwara Central Senate seat. In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Nasif Sholagberu, the senator urged party faithful, journalists, and the general public to disregard any claims linking him to the senatorial primary.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Saliu Mustapha officially obtained APC nomination forms to contest for the Governorship of Kwara State in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections and not for the Senate,” the statement read. It further stressed that at no time did the senator purchase senatorial nomination forms or undergo screening for the Senate contest.
Denial of Forged Documents
Mustapha's camp described the reports and documents linking him to the senatorial primary as “forged, fake, misleading and of no consequence.” They challenged anyone with contrary evidence to publicly present proof that the senator participated in the process. The senator had earlier publicly announced the submission of his governorship nomination and expression of interest forms, describing his ambition as part of a broader vision to build a “more progressive and inclusive Kwara State.”
Support for Peaceful Primaries
Despite the controversy, his media team reiterated support for peaceful APC primaries across the state and expressed goodwill towards Governor AbdulRazaq's senatorial ambition. However, insiders within Mustapha's camp insist that the reports portraying him as a participant in the Senate primary were deliberate attempts by political opponents and “mischief makers” to sow confusion within the ruling party ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.
