Ilorin: The Kwara Integrity Movement (KIM) has voiced its opposition to the zoning of the 2027 governorship race in the state to any specific senatorial district. During a news conference in Ilorin, KIM Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Oniwara, emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional political practices and focusing on competency and merit in leadership selection.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oniwara argued that leadership in Kwara should be based on merit, vision, capacity, and character, rather than birthplace. He stated that the call for zoning is a distraction from the core values of truth, equity, and the long-term well-being of the people. Oniwara questioned the motivations behind the zoning agitation, asking whether it serves the people of Kwara North or merely the ambitions of a few individuals.
Oniwara highlighted that leadership is earned through persuasion, credibility, and service, not inherited or granted as an entitlement. He refuted claims that Kwara has a history of practising zoning, describing the state’s political landscape as open, inclusive, and competitive, allowing all senatorial districts to contest freely.
KIM’s stance is that Kwara should avoid entitlement politics and focus on selecting the best candidate, regardless of senatorial district. Oniwara urged that all qualified individuals should have the opportunity to contest, leaving the decision to the people. He also expressed concern over the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, cautioning against their engagement in political lobbying and advocacy to preserve the integrity of their revered institutions.