…Back former FCC Chair, Dankaka for Senate seat 

A group, under the aegis of the Kwara South All Progressives Congress (APC) Opinion Leaders, has rejected the alleged moves to impose incumbent Senator Lola Ashiru for another term ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing his eight-year tenure in the Senate as abysmal and unimpressive.

They warned that such a decision could trigger internal revolt and hand victory to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The group also raised concerns over what it described as an inconsistency in the Senator’s political ambition, recalling that he had earlier formally declared interest in the Kwara State governorship race before abruptly shifting back to the Senate contest.

The leaders have instead endorsed former Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Dr Muheebat Adenike Dankaka, describing her as the most popular and politically acceptable aspirant for the senatorial ticket.

Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, former Ifelodun Local Government Area Chairman, Uthman Jide Alabi, who addressed journalists on behalf of the group, said the APC must not ignore the mounting and growing dissatisfaction within the Kwara South Senatorial District ahead of the primaries scheduled for Monday.

He said the group was compelled to intervene to defend internal democracy and prevent what they described as avoidable political damage to the party.

He added that the group was speaking as committed stakeholders determined to ensure a transparent and credible primary process.

“We are united by one common objective—to ensure that the ongoing primary elections in our state are conducted in a free, fair, transparent, credible, and democratic manner that will strengthen our party ahead of the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

Alabi stressed that the Senate primary remained a critical test of the party’s internal democracy.

“The Senate primary is, by the grace of God, another very important exercise holding on Monday, 18th May 2026,” he said. “As stakeholders who believe deeply in the unity, stability, and future victory of our great party, we consider it necessary to address the public at this critical moment.”

He noted that Kwara South remains a major political force within the State, with significant electoral weight.

“KWARA SOUTH has 83 of 193 wards of Kwara State, and has 7 of the 16 Local Government Areas in the state,” he said.

The group’s position, he said, was rooted in the demand for fairness and adherence to party rules.

“Our appeal today is simple, sincere, and patriotic: LET THE RIGHT THINGS BE DONE,” Alabi declared.

He warned against any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the primaries or impose a candidate against the wishes of party members.

“We respectfully call on all those entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the Senate primary to ensure that no avoidable errors are made; errors that may later haunt our party and weaken our collective political future,” he said.

The group strongly endorsed Dankaka as the preferred candidate for the Senate seat, insisting she has both grassroots acceptance and a record of public service.

“We collectively as members of the Kwara South Senatorial District raise our voices to make it known that Dr Muheebat Adenike Dankaka is the preferred candidate for the Senate in our District,” Alabi said.

“She is a TRUSTED AND TESTED woman, her antecedents are top-notch. During her tenure as the Chairman of the FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION, she displayed a rare commitment to KWARA SOUTH,” he added.

In a pointed criticism of other aspirants, the group questioned the credibility of recycling political officeholders they accused of poor performance.

“We begin to wonder how people with no bearing and compassion for our children can have the audacity to want to contest for an elective position again after their abysmal failure in the previous responsibilities,” Alabi said.

Reiterating the party’s constitutional provisions on internal democracy, the group insisted that direct primaries must be adopted where consensus fails.

“As clearly stated by the National Chairman of our great party, wherever there is no consensus candidate, there must be direct primaries,” he said.

“This position also aligns perfectly with the democratic principles repeatedly emphasised by our President, who has consistently maintained that democracy, fairness, and internal party transparency must prevail within the party structure.”

Alabi explained that direct primaries remain the most credible method of selecting candidates.

“Direct primaries mean that party members themselves will openly choose their preferred candidates. It means the popular will of party faithfuls will prevail. It means transparency. It means credibility. It means legitimacy.”

The group warned that imposing an unpopular candidate could destabilise the party’s chances in 2027.

He further escalated the warning, stating that the APC risked losing the senatorial seat if it ignored the wishes of members.

“If Senator Ashiru is imposed, even the opposition PDP should get ready to win,” he said.

The leaders urged calm, discipline, and respect for democratic processes as the party approaches its primaries.

“Let everyone remain peaceful, orderly, law-abiding, and committed to the democratic process,” Alabi said.

“Let the will of APC Kwara South members prevail. That is the path to unity, credibility, justice, and victory,” he added.