2027: AbdulRazaq, Mustapha in Kwara Central showdown
By Demola Akinyemi
ILORIN — The landscape for the 2027 general elections in Kwara State is becoming increasingly dynamic, with outgoing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq preparing to face incumbent Senator Salihu Mustapha for the Kwara Central Senatorial District seat. The contest is intensifying as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has seen several candidates replaced on its ticket, adding complexity to the National Assembly race.
The final candidate list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signals a high-stakes contest that could determine whether AbdulRazaq, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, maintains his political influence in the state or encounters substantial opposition.
Mustapha, who has represented Kwara Central in the Senate, recently left the APC after contentious primaries and has since defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His campaign represents a significant challenge to the governor, as both figures are prominent in the region’s political landscape.
The governorship race is also drawing attention. The APC candidate, incumbent Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu-Yakubu Danladi, will compete against Kawu Bolakale Agaka from the PDP. Agaka is aligned with former Senate President Bukola Saraki, adding another layer of rivalry to the contest.
Danladi’s running mate is Ogunniyi David Oluwaseun, while Agaka will team up with Fawenu Cornelius Olaosebikan Sunday. The outcome of this election could serve as a barometer for AbdulRazaq’s political capital, particularly in the wake of candidate emergence tensions within the APC.
Other gubernatorial candidates listed by INEC include Abdulmumim Yinka Ajia Olayinka of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who has chosen Ajayi Israel Awolowo as his running mate, and former House of Representatives member Zakareh Mohammed of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who is paired with Olawuyi Julius Olayide.
APC Drops Serving Lawmakers
In addition to gubernatorial changes, the APC’s finalized list for the National Assembly has led to notable exclusions, with two sitting senators and several House of Representatives members omitted from the ticket.
In the Kwara South Senatorial District, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Oyelola Ashiru has been replaced by Adewoye Olalekan. Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, who has served two terms representing Kwara North, has been substituted by businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Kolo Baba Jiya. Jiya has previously contested elections under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The APC has also made changes in the House of Representatives, dropping incumbent Mohammed Omar Bio from the Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency. Saidu Baba Ahmed is now the party’s candidate for that seat. In the Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency, Mohammed Mamman, often referred to as Mamman Mohammed Tswako, has replaced Dr. Ahmed Adamu Saba on the party’s ticket.
These substitutions introduce an element of unpredictability, particularly in areas where current lawmakers are typically expected to seek re-election.
Test of Political Strength
As these contests unfold, both AbdulRazaq and the Saraki-affiliated forces find themselves on opposing sides of a critical political struggle. The APC is aiming to solidify its presence while the PDP and other parties seek to exploit existing divisions within the ruling party.
For AbdulRazaq, the coming elections will be pivotal in assessing his political fortunes as he approaches the end of his gubernatorial term. Meanwhile, Agaka’s performance could reflect Saraki’s ability to regain influence within the state after years of rivalry with the current governor.
The changes in the National Assembly tickets indicate that several constituencies will now feature contests among new candidates, rather than straightforward battles between incumbents and challengers.
Ultimately, these elections will serve as a litmus test for the strength of competing political factions, gauging the appeal of their candidates and their capacity to leverage internal party divisions into electoral success.
