STEPHEN OLUFEMI ONI reports on the intrigues and palpable tension within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over which senatorial district should produce the candidate to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 governorship election and strident calls by stakeholders of the party for fairness and inclusion in making a choice
As political discourse gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State, it is pertinent to bring to the fore core issues which have continued to dominate the public space. These include sensitive questions, such as fairness, equity, inclusion, and the future direction of leadership in Kwara State, a state popularly known by the sobriquet – State of Harmony.
Intriguingly, despite the aforementioned sensitive questions, the three senatorial districts of Kwara South, Kwara North and Kwara Central are still clamouring and justifying why the governorship slot should not elude them, though political pundits and analysts opined that there was no justification whatsoever for the Kwara Central to join the current fray because it is the zone that produced the incumbent governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who will serve out his eight-year mandatory tenure on May 29, 2027.
It is for this reason that, across communities, political circles, and stakeholders’ engagements, concerns are increasingly being raised over the purported push to retain the governorship seat in Kwara Central, despite longstanding agitations for broader power rotation and inclusive representation among the three senatorial districts.
For many observers, the debate goes beyond partisan politics. It speaks directly to fairness, political balance, and the need to strengthen unity in a state renowned for its diversity and peaceful coexistence.
Disturbingly, recent discussions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly sparked unease among stakeholders, particularly over allegations that insecurity in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North is being referenced as a political argument against zoning the 2027 governorship slot to either of the two zones.
While these claims remain within the realm of political conjecture, they have nevertheless generated huge concern among citizens, who opined that leadership decisions must never be shaped by fear, division or perceived political convenience.
To several political analysts, such narratives are naive, mundane and only underestimate the complexity and diversity of Kwara State’s electoral landscape. It was argued that Kwara Central itself remains home to hundreds of thousands of citizens with roots in Kwara South and Kwara North, many of whom have actively contributed to the growth of progressive politics in the state over the years.
On this, a political analyst, Bamidele Yemi, said: “It would represent a grave disservice to the people of Kwara State if the allegations currently circulating regarding insecurity in Kwara South and Kwara North are true, particularly claims that such challenges are being politically exploited to deny these regions the opportunity to produce the next governor.
“There are reports suggesting that certain aspirants within the APC have engaged with President Bola Tinubu, arguing that presenting a candidate from Kwara South or Kwara North could jeopardize the party’s chances in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. “Additionally, it has been alleged that the voting strength of Kwara South may be significantly weakened due to ongoing security concerns.
However, this line of reasoning and argument appears fundamentally flawed. Kwara Central, which hosts the state capital, is demographically diverse. In Ilorin South, a substantial number of wards are predominantly inhabited by people of Kwara South origin, ditto for other areas in Kwara Central.
“These concerns demand clear and transparent answers. In the light of these issues, Kwarans respectfully call on the President to carefully evaluate the situation and the narratives being presented, knowing full well that leadership decisions should be guided by fairness justice and the long-term stability of Kwara State.”
As a matter of fact, the capital city of Ilorin historically reflected the cultural and political integration that defines Kwara State. Several communities and wards within Kwara Central maintain deep ancestral, social, and economic ties with other parts of the state, reinforcing the argument that the future of Kwara State must be built on inclusion rather than exclusion.
Kwarans respectfully call on the President to carefully evaluate the situation and the narratives being presented, knowing full well that leadership decisions should be guided by fairness justice and the longterm stability of Kwara State
At the same time, insecurity across parts of Kwara South and Kwara North has become a growing source of anxiety for residents hence the clamour for stronger security interventions and a much better proactive governance by communities affected by incessant kidnapping, banditry, and criminal activities. For many citizens, the concern is not just a political rhetoric but the urgent need for a leadership that is capable of restoring hope, confidence, protecting lives and property, and also ensuring sustainable peace across all the senatorial districts of the state.
It is against this backdrop that several stakeholders have continued to advocate leadership that is defined by competence, credibility, and grassroots acceptance rather than narrow political calculations. As a matter of fact, among the names that are increasingly gaining prominence in these conversations is Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, widely known as AOT, from Igbaja community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the Kwara South Senatorial District.
Over the years, Dr. Alabi has built a reputation as a businessman, philanthropist, community developer and advocate of social advancement whose impact cuts across political, religious and ethnic divides in Kwara State. With decades of experience in the private sector, and consistent involvement in humanitarian initiatives, he is regarded by many stakeholders as a bridge-builder with the capacity to unite diverse interests within the state.
The stakeholders point to Alabi’s longstanding contributions in education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community development as evidence of a leadership philosophy rooted in service and inclusion. They also argue that his broad acceptability across the three senatorial districts strongly positions him as a candidate that is capable of strengthening party cohesion, while inspiring confidence among the electorate. However, beyond personality and politics, the larger issue remains the future stability and development of Kwara State.
Many stakeholders believe that the state’s next phase of growth will require a strong leadership that will prioritise security, economic expansion, youth opportunities, infrastructural renewal and equitable governance across allthe senatorial districts. Increasingly, citizens are calling for a political process that reflects justice, fairness as well as respect for the collective aspirations of the people rather than arrangements perceived to favour a particular bloc or district.
As political activities intensify ahead of the next election cycle, observers insist that the ultimate decision must reflect the broader interests of Kwara State and not mere sectional considerations. The growing conversation around inclusion, equity, and competent leadership is therefore likely to remain pertinent to the governorship debate in the months ahead.
For many residents, the expectation is simple: a leader who understands the challenges facing the people, possesses the capacity to unite the State, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to security, development and shared prosperity, among others. In that conversation, stakeholders opined that Dr. Alabi has continued to emerge as one of the prominent voices representing the aspirations of many people in Kwara State and seeking a more inclusive and forward looking future.
