Kwara APC elders fault candidate selection, call for party intervention

A group of elders and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has expressed concern over the party’s primary that led to the emergence of the governorship candidate for the 2027 election, calling for intervention.

The group at a news conference on Monday in Ilorin urged the national leadership to intervene in the interest of the party’s future.

Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of APC Elders Caucus, James Ayenioye, said that the circumstances surrounding the APC governorship primary had generated widespread concern among party members and stakeholders across the state.

Ayenioye alleged that no valid governorship primary election was conducted before the announcement of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s candidate.

He said that the primary election earlier scheduled for May 21, 2026 was postponed, while subsequent developments raised questions about the transparency and credibility of the process.

He said although many members of the group had supported different aspirants before the primary, they had set aside personal interests to focus on what they described as the overall interest of the APC and Kwara State.

He said: “We have no personal grievance against Hon. Danladi-Salihu and do not question his constitutional right to seek higher office.

“Our concerns are political, strategic and based on our assessment of the current realities in the state.”

The chairman said that Danladi-Salihu did not represent the strongest electoral option available to the APC at a time when opposition parties were gaining ground in the state.

He noted that the political landscape in Kwara State had changed significantly, warning that assumptions of automatic electoral victory could be detrimental to the party.

Ayenioye further expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as inadequate consultation with senior party leaders and stakeholders before critical decisions affecting the future of the party were taken.

According to him, the interest of the elders is not driven by personal or family considerations but by the desire to protect the APC and safeguard the state’s political stability.

He added: “We do not want the APC to lose Kwara State.

“The quality and calibre of candidates presented for election matters greatly and can determine the party’s success or failure at the polls.”

The chairman of the caucus appealed to President Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the APC, and members of the party’s National Working Committee to review developments in Kwara State and engage stakeholders more broadly.

In his remarks, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Salman Jawondo (SAN), urged the national leadership to prioritise the long-term stability and electoral success of the party over individual ambitions and political interests.

He said that it had taken years of hard work and sacrifice to secure victory for the APC in the state and urged party leaders not to allow those gains to be reversed.

Jawondo also expressed confidence that the APC leadership at the national level would carefully examine the situation and take appropriate steps to address the concerns raised.

He said that the group’s intervention should not be seen as an act of rebellion but as a demonstration of loyalty and responsibility aimed at preventing avoidable political setbacks.

He expressed their support for President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, while congratulating him on the third anniversary of his administration.

He said that they remained committed to the APC and would continue to support efforts aimed at ensuring the party’s success in future elections.

Responding to questions from journalists, the former representative of Kwara South Senatorial District, Ajadi Makanjuola, said that the elders expected the national leadership of the APC to engage relevant stakeholders and seek clarification from the state leadership on the issues raised.

Makanjuola maintained that meaningful consultation and dialogue remained the best path to resolve things and preserve unity within the party.