FEATURED: #KwaraNdupe rally storms Emir of Ilorin’s palace in a powerful display of unity and loyalty
…as ‘rogue’ G15’s anti-Tinubu rhetoric sparks outrage, concern in Kwara
By Mahmud Hassan
The KwaraNdupe Rally continued on Monday as party leaders, supporters and stakeholders proceeded to the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace to receive royal blessings, following the massive appreciation rally held in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The visit to the palace marked the continuation of what participants described as a demonstration of unity, gratitude and loyalty to the APC, with thousands reaffirming their commitment to the party and its leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development came as the G15 group of aggrieved APC aspirants sustained its criticism of the outcome of the party’s primaries. Rather than rallying support for the APC and the administration of President Tinubu, the group has continued to issue statements critical of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the leader of the party in Kwara State, while also questioning the decisions of the APC national leadership and President Tinubu.
The group’s warning that it could explore alternative political platforms if its grievances remain unresolved has generated concern among party members, many of whom describe the rhetoric as divisive and capable of undermining party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party observers following developments within the APC said the continued attacks by the G15 on both Governor AbdulRazaq and President Tinubu risk distracting the party from preparations for the next general election. They argued that instead of working to strengthen the APC after the primaries, the group’s public statements have projected disunity and created unnecessary tension within the party.
The observers also criticised what they described as derogatory remarks directed at Governor AbdulRazaq by members of the group, saying such rhetoric was unbecoming of senior party figures who had benefited politically from the APC over the years. According to them, the attacks have instead generated greater public sympathy for the Governor and reinforced support for his leadership.
They further referenced campaign materials circulated by the G15 in which the group accused President Tinubu of “trading with Kwara,” describing the allegation as unfortunate and unfounded. The observers urged the APC national leadership to uphold party discipline and ensure that actions capable of undermining the party’s unity and electoral prospects are appropriately addressed.
Meanwhile, political observers noted what they described as a contradiction between the G15’s allegations of harassment and the group’s ability to organise political activities within the state. They pointed out that members of the group arrived in Ilorin and held their rally without disruption, while also making use of road infrastructure developed under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration. According to the observers, this undermined claims that the political environment in the state had become hostile to dissenting voices.
In contrast, supporters of Governor AbdulRazaq maintain that his administration has continued to work closely with party stakeholders, elected officials and grassroots leaders to strengthen the APC in Kwara State. They argue that the success of the KwaraNdupe Rally reflects broad acceptance of the Governor’s leadership and a collective commitment to consolidating the party’s achievements rather than deepening internal divisions.
Political observers say the contrasting approaches adopted by both camps have further highlighted the internal dynamics within the Kwara APC. While the KwaraNdupe Rally projected a message of unity, appreciation and solidarity with President Tinubu and the APC leadership, the G15 has continued its public agitation over the party’s primary process, exposing the widening gulf between the mainstream party structure and the aggrieved aspirants.
