Ilorin: A group of elders and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara has expressed concern over the party’s primary that led to the emergence of the governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The group, at a news conference on Monday in Ilorin, urged the national leadership to intervene in the interest of the party’s future.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of APC Elders Caucus, Mr. James Ayenioye, said that the circumstances surrounding the APC governorship primary had generated widespread concern among party members and stakeholders across the state. He alleged that no valid governorship primary election was conducted before the announcement of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s candidate.
Ayenioye 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 that although many me
mbers 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.
The chairman emphasized that their concerns were political and strategic, not personal, and assessed the current realities in the state. He stated that Danladi-Salihu did not represent the strongest electoral option available to the APC at a time when opposition parties were gaining grounds in the state. He warned 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. He insisted that the interest of the elders is to protect the APC and safeguard the state’s political stability.
The chairman of the caucus appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman of the APC, and members of t
he party’s National Working Committee to review developments in Kwara and engage stakeholders more broadly.
In his remarks, former Commissioner for Justice, Salman Jawondo (SAN), urged the national leadership to prioritize the long-term stability and electoral success of the party over individual ambitions and political interests. He highlighted the hard work and sacrifice it took to secure victory for the APC in the state and advised party leaders against reversing those gains.
Jawondo 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 clarified that the group’s intervention should be seen as a demonstration of loyalty and responsibility aimed at preventing political setbacks.
Jawondo further expressed their support for President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, congratulating him on the third anniversary of his administration. He reiterated their commitment to the APC and their willingne
ss to support efforts aimed at ensuring the party’s success in future elections.
Responding to questions from journalists, the former Senator of Kwara-South, 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. He advocated for meaningful consultation and dialogue as the best means to resolve issues and preserve unity within the party.