One Party : How Kwara APC’s Show Of Strength Exposed Cracks Ahead Of 2027
By Taiwo Ogunniyi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has entered the build-up to the 2027 general elections with a striking display of two contrasting realities — one reflecting deep internal dissatisfaction over the conduct of the party’s primaries and another projecting unity, confidence and readiness to retain power.
Within days, Ilorin, the state capital, became the stage for two massive processions that revealed the battle for the soul of the ruling party. While one gathering saw aggrieved elders, governorship aspirants and stakeholders publicly rejecting the outcome of the APC primaries, another witnessed thousands of party members flooding the streets in appreciation of the same exercise and reaffirming loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the party’s candidates.
The contrasting events underscored the delicate balancing act facing the APC leadership as it seeks to reconcile dissatisfied members while sustaining the momentum towards another electoral victory.
The first rally was organised by the Kwara APC Elders Caucus alongside governorship aspirants and party stakeholders who accused the state leadership of abandoning internal democracy.
Led by octogenarian Chairman of the APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Ayeni, the protesters moved peacefully through major streets of Ilorin in a long convoy from the Airport through Gari Alimi Roundabout to the Emir’s Palace Gate before concluding at the General Post Office area.
The gathering drew prominent party leaders, including the senators representing Kwara Central, Kwara South and Kwara North — Salihu Mustapha, Oyelola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar — as well as former Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe and governorship aspirant Abdulfatai Seriki Gambari.
Addressing journalists, Senator Mustapha described the rally as a spontaneous expression of frustration by genuine party members who believed the APC leadership in the state had imposed a governorship candidate without adequate consultation.
“We are using this protest to register our rejection of whatever processes and the way and manner the so-called leadership in the state has endorsed a particular governorship candidate. We are not saying we don’t like the face of anybody. We are all stakeholders. We believe if there must be equity and fairness, then we should all have a sense of belonging to arrive at a just conclusion,” he said.
According to him, the protest was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to protect the party’s future.
“We are not doing this rally out of selfishness and self-centredness. It is because we believe that APC has better opportunities in this state. The protest is not an individual thing; it is a collective decision.”
Senator Ashiru warned that unresolved grievances could threaten the APC’s electoral fortunes if urgent steps were not taken to restore confidence among members.
“We are here mainly because we want to protect the legacy of our President. He has done so much for Kwara State. Now we are facing a situation that if we are not careful, the curtains might be drawn on APC in the state. The party has become our DNA and that is why we are calling on the President to listen to our reasonable voice.”
Former Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe also faulted what he described as a lack of transparency in the emergence of candidates for various elective offices.
“We want inclusiveness and a situation where every stakeholder is carried along. More importantly, we have a leadership that does not carry anybody along as far as governance and party structure are concerned. That is why all of us came together because we must rescue our state and party.”
Governorship aspirant Abdulfatai Seriki Gambari maintained that the aggrieved members remained loyal to President Tinubu and appealed for his intervention.
“We thank the President, our father. We also want to tell him that APC is one big family in the state. Therefore, we urge him to intervene in this crisis.”
However, the mood shifted dramatically barely 24 hours later as another large crowd of APC members converged on Ilorin for what organisers described as the “Kwara Ndupe Rally” — a thanksgiving procession celebrating the successful conduct of the party’s primaries and endorsing all APC candidates.
Thousands of party faithful, leaders and candidates marched through major roads in Ilorin, waving banners, distributing campaign materials and chanting support for President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, APC governorship candidate and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, and other flagbearers.
The Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Oba Magaji Abdulkadri, described the massive turnout as evidence that the party remained united despite recent disagreements.
“We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood. The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright.”
He dismissed fears about the opposition, insisting the APC remained focused on strengthening its internal cohesion.
“We are not afraid. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state.”
Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, urged party members to convert the enthusiasm displayed during the rally into electoral success.
“This rally must translate to PVC collection, voter registration and polling-unit victory in 2027. There must not be complacency.
“We will campaign on record, not insults, because our party has roads, schools, hospitals and regular payment of salaries to show Kwarans.”
State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, expressed optimism that the turnout reflected the confidence of party members and appealed to aggrieved stakeholders to embrace ongoing reconciliation efforts.
“With what I have seen here, it is good to say that all our candidates are in. More people are still coming to join our party.”
Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Kwara State, Abdulateef Alakawa, insisted the primaries reflected the wishes of party members through the direct primary process.
“Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We are grateful to God that the primaries were peaceful and successful.
“As far as the APC is concerned, we have no losers. The party has already constituted a reconciliation committee, and we are confident all issues will be resolved.”
The party’s candidates also expressed confidence of victory in 2027.
APC Kwara North Senatorial candidate, Ahmad Umar Muhammad, praised the decision to zone the governorship ticket to Kwara North, describing it as an act of fairness.
“We appreciate the people of Kwara State for giving Kwara North the opportunity to produce the next governor. Today’s rally demonstrates the confidence and support the people have for the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq and the APC.”
Similarly, Kwara South senatorial candidate, Prince Olalekan Adewoye, described the APC as one united family and thanked party leaders for their confidence in him.
House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, said the crowd demonstrated that the APC remained the dominant political force in the state.
“The crowd here is a testament to the fact that the APC is the party to beat. The election is ours to lose.”
The party’s reconciliation efforts received a symbolic boost when the APC leadership and its candidates paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, seeking royal blessings ahead of the 2027 elections.
Receiving the delegation at his palace, the Emir commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s performance and openly endorsed the party’s candidates.
“Whoever sees good things and chooses not to say it is insincere. Let us call a spade a spade. The Governor has performed well.
“Starting from Governor AbdulRazaq to other candidates of the party, God will grant you all electoral success.”
Speaking after the visit, APC governorship candidate and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, acknowledged the concerns raised by some party members and assured them that reconciliation was underway.
“Democracy is an aggregation of interests. By the grace of God, all of us will be guided.
“Where there is peace, there is development. Let us come to the round table and, by God’s grace, we will carry each and every one of them along.
“The reconciliation committee has been set up and I know the committee will do justice to it. Peace will continue to reign in APC and Kwara.”
The events in Ilorin have painted a vivid picture of a ruling party simultaneously celebrating victory and confronting internal resistance. While one faction insists that fairness and inclusiveness must be restored to preserve the party’s future, another believes the primaries have produced a united platform capable of delivering another electoral triumph.
As the countdown to 2027 gathers momentum, the success of the APC in Kwara may depend less on the enthusiasm displayed during rallies than on its ability to reconcile competing interests and transform competing voices into a common political purpose.
* Taiwo Ogunniyi writes from, Ilorin, Kwara State. ”
((vitalnewsngr.com)
