A group, under the aegis of Voice for Good Governance (VGG), based in Kwara State, has criticised the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Offa/Oyun//lfelodun federal constituency, Dr Rafiu Ajaikaye, over what it described as a lack of connection on the part of the candidate with the grassroots.

VGC expressed dismay that the ruling party might not win the election in 2027 over the lack of presence of the candidate in the grassroots.

The group, in a press statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, signed by Kayode Olorunsola, stated that it examined the political dynamics in the state regarding the chances of aspirants for the political position and rated Ajaikaye as having zero grassroots structure that could guarantee him the winner of the poll.

“The statement reads in part: ”The race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency is shaping up to be more than a contest between aspirants. It’s a referendum on how political power is being built in Kwara State after the 2019 “Otoge” revolution

“If elected member of the House of Representatives for the federal constituency, Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun has a political culture that rewards local presence.

“Candidates who have worked the wards, funded small projects, and maintained consistent contact with community leaders tend to outperform candidates who rely solely on state-level backing.

“The constituency also carries unique challenges. Parts of Ifelodun LGA have experienced security incidents linked to banditry and insurgency in recent years.

“For voters in those areas, the immediate concerns are security, access to roads, schools, and economic opportunity. In that environment, voters often ask two questions: Can this candidate bring federal presence and projects?

“Is this candidate accessible and interested in the constituency beyond the election season? A candidate without an established grassroots network starts with a gap on both questions”, the group warns.