A coalition of Christian leaders and groups in Kwara State has formally declared its support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, while simultaneously endorsing Senator Saliu Mustapha for the state’s 2027 gubernatorial race.

The endorsement was announced during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, where the group highlighted the need for continuity at the federal level and a competent, inclusive leadership for the state.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Kwara Christian Alliance for Good Governance, noted that President Tinubu’s economic reforms, though challenging, are beginning to show signs of stabilizing the national economy. They emphasized that a second term would allow the President to consolidate his Renewed Hope agenda and ensure that ongoing infrastructure projects across the North-Central region are brought to fruition.

Transitioning to the state’s political future, the alliance threw its weight behind Senator Saliu Mustapha, currently representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly. The leaders praised Mustapha’s consistent philanthropy and his ability to maintain a balanced relationship with both the Christian and Muslim communities in the state.

They argued that his legislative experience and track record of grassroots empowerment make him the ideal successor to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

A key theme of the meeting was the demand for political inclusion.

Representatives of the alliance stressed that while their endorsement of Mustapha is based on his individual competence, they are also advocating for a governance structure in 2027 that ensures significant representation for Christians in the state’s executive council. They noted that Mustapha has demonstrated a rare sense of fairness that aligns with their vision for a united Kwara.

In response to the endorsement, spokespersons for Senator Mustapha’s camp expressed gratitude to the Christian community, describing the move as a huge morale booster. They assured the groups that the Senator remains committed to an all-inclusive developmental agenda that transcends religious and ethnic sentiments, focusing instead on shared prosperity for all Kwarans.

The dual endorsement has sent ripples through the state’s political landscape, as other interest groups begin to solidify their positions for 2027. While some observers see this as an early alignment of the state’s Christian voting bloc, others suggest that the Tinubu-Mustapha ticket could become a formidable platform if it continues to garner cross-sectional support from various professional and religious bodies.