Kwara APC Divided Over Danladi-Salihu Governorship Candidacy

A sharp internal rift has emerged within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following conflicting stances taken by different stakeholder groups over the emergence of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate.

The dispute went public after a faction of party elders, operating under the name of the Kwara State APC Elders Caucus, organized a media briefing in Ilorin to formally reject the Speaker’s candidacy. Led by James Ayenioye, the group petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to review the outcome of the May 22, 2026 primary election, where Danladi-Salihu was declared the winner with 94,990 votes.

The dissenting elders claimed that the primary process lacked broad consultation and did not reflect a credible election. They argued that the Speaker lacks the statewide appeal required to defeat a growing opposition and unite the party. The group also expressed concern over Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s quick endorsement of the ticket, warning that the current political landscape has shifted and automatic victory can no longer be assumed.

In a swift counter-response, the official state chapter of the APC dismissed the allegations, describing the dissenting group as an unrecognized body with no standing in the party structure. State Publicity Secretary Alhaji A.O. Babatunde maintained that the primary election was transparently conducted, properly supervised by the national secretariat, and fully compliant with party guidelines. The party leadership defended the Speaker as a competent and widely accepted administrator who commands the loyalty of the general membership.

Simultaneously, a separate coalition of party elders, led by Abdullateef Alakawa, held a solidarity briefing to support the candidate. This group described the opposing faction as interlopers and asserted that the primary was peaceful and valid. They noted that no rival aspirants had filed formal complaints and emphasized that Danladi-Salihu enjoys strong backing across the state’s senatorial districts, particularly among youth demographics.

Party administrators have urged all members to remain united and utilize internal channels to resolve grievances rather than engaging in public disputes that could undermine the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 polls.