APC Leader Canvases Open Contest for 2027 Kwara Governorship
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Isaac Adeyemi, has called on the party to allow aspirants from all three senatorial districts to freely contest the 2027 governorship ticket, stressing that merit should outweigh zoning considerations.
Adeyemi said the ruling party must embrace inclusiveness as preparations for the next election gather momentum, warning that restricting participation on the basis of zoning could worsen internal divisions within the APC.
According to him, the governorship race should be open to all qualified party members, regardless of their senatorial origins, noting that competence remains the most important factor in choosing the state’s next leader.
He dismissed renewed calls for the governorship seat to be rotated to Kwara North in 2027, describing such arguments as politically driven rather than grounded in the state’s political history.
Adeyemi recalled that the state had never formally adopted zoning in choosing its governors, pointing out that in the 2023 election, candidates from different zones competed on equal footing.
The APC chieftain maintained that while democracy thrives on broad participation, the ultimate goal should be selecting a capable leader who can drive development across the state.
He further alleged that the current agitation for zoning was being fueled by the personal ambitions of a few individuals, rather than a collective demand from the people of Kwara North. He urged party members to focus on promoting the value of competence in leadership.
Adeyemi also raised concerns over what he termed the growing politicisation of traditional institutions, following recent endorsements by some monarchs.
He cautioned traditional rulers to remain neutral, describing them as fathers to all and urging them to avoid partisan engagements.
On the performance of the current administration under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the APC stalwart commended ongoing infrastructural development, particularly in Kwara Central.
However, he called for increased patronage of local contractors and deeper grassroots political mobilisation to strengthen the party’s support base ahead of future elections.
