Kwara APC Chieftains Push for Transparent Primaries, Warn of 2027 Defeat

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara have called for an inclusive and transparent process ahead of the party’s 2027 primary elections, saying all stakeholders should be carried along in decision-making.

Speaking with journalists during a protest rally in Ilorin on Monday, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe said the group was dissatisfied with what it described as the leadership’s handling of the party’s affairs in the state.

Oloriegbe said the protest was aimed at rejecting what he described as the endorsement of a particular aspirant without adequate consultation.

“Our action is not driven by selfish interests but by our desire to strengthen the APC in Kwara because we believe the party still has much to offer the state,” he said.

On the group’s next line of action, Oloriegbe said no individual would decide its next move, noting that stakeholders would collectively determine the way forward after consultations.

He added that their concerns extended beyond the governorship race to all elective positions, including the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate.

According to him, the party’s leadership has failed to adequately carry stakeholders along in matters relating to party administration, governance and preparations for the primary elections.

Oloriegbe said the state ruling party is on the verge of losing to an opposition party in 2027 election if nothing is done to correct the situation.

He said former senators, founding party leaders and other key stakeholders who contributed to the APC’s victory in 2019 were not sufficiently consulted.

Also speaking, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, said the rally was organised to reaffirm support for President Bola Tinubu and demonstrate the strength of the APC in Kwara.

He said the stakeholders were committed to protecting the legacy of the president and ensuring the party remained united in the state.
Mustapha said the president had attracted numerous developmental projects to Kwara through the state’s federal lawmakers, adding that stakeholders wanted to preserve the party’s electoral strength.

“If we are not careful, APC could face serious challenges in Kwara State. We want to prevent that from happening.

“The people of Kwara are progressive, and we want to sustain that progressive tradition. We are appealing to the President to listen to our concerns because they are in the interest of the party and the people of the state,” he said.

Asked whether the group had a preferred governorship candidate, Mustapha said the APC had many competent aspirants and urged the President to allow a free, fair and transparent process to determine the party’s candidate.

He also expressed the group’s willingness to participate in reconciliation efforts, although he noted that members had reservations based on previous reconciliation attempts.

Sen. Sadiq Umaru, representing Kwara North Senatorial District, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to intervene in the situation, expressing optimism that the party would address their concerns.

Similarly, APC governorship aspirant, Mr Bashir Bolarinwa, Ambassador Yahaya Serieki reiterated the group’s dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the party in the state

He called for greater inclusiveness, consultation and fairness in the conduct of the party’s affairs and its primary elections.

He also urged the national leadership of the APC and President Tinubu to intervene to ensure unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC aspirants and stakeholders, who joined the rally include, Honourable Yinka Aluko, Senator Lola Ashiru, Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen, Ambassador Abdulfatahi Yahaya Seriki, Dr. Muhyideen Salako Abdulazeez, Hon. Ismahil Tijani, elders, party chieftains and others.