Controversy trails Kwara Central APC Senatorial contest

By Muyideen Aliyu

Controversy has trailed the outcome of the Kwara Central All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.

This is as the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, received massive support from leaders, stalwarts, and members across the four local government areas of the district on Monday.

Governor AbdulRazaq is slugging it out with the serving senator of the district, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, despite earlier reports suggesting the governor was not in the Senate race.

However, a new official APC document has shown that the governor actually obtained the nomination form and was cleared to run for the seat.

Contradicting this development, a statement released earlier on Monday by the spokesperson for Senator Saliu Mustapha, Nasif Sholagberu, denied the senator’s involvement in any parallel contest.

Sholagberu stated that at no time did Senator Saliu Mustapha obtain a nomination form for the Senate, nor did he participate in or undergo any screening process for a new senatorial contest.

He challenged any individual or group in possession of documents suggesting otherwise to publicly present credible evidence.

Meanwhile, during an address to party members in the Ibagun Ward of the Ilorin East Local Government, the Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Saadu Salahu, stated that leaders and party faithful remain united to ensure the success of the APC at all levels in 2027.

Salahu assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq that the Ibagun ward is fully aligned with the APC and is prepared to deliver total victory for the party.

Speaking on the sidelines of the primary election, a party stalwart and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo, remarked that the contest between Governor AbdulRazaq and Senator Mustapha recorded an impressive turnout of party loyalists in appreciation of the achievements of the APC-led government.

Olododo noted that the significant turnout in Ibagun Ward demonstrated deep-seated political unity, asserting that the figures reflected the governor’s strong grassroots presence.

He acknowledged that while Senator Mustapha is also a respected son of the Ilorin Emirate, the party faithful clearly recognize the governor as their leader.

In a similar vein, a former chairman of the Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji Usman Bibire-Ajape, affirmed that the area remains an APC stronghold.

He described the process as peaceful and added that Governor AbdulRazaq deserves the overwhelming support he is receiving due to his impactful governance across the state.

A House of Representatives candidate, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, also confirmed that Governor AbdulRazaq polled an overwhelming number of votes to defeat his challenger in the Ibagun ward.

He explained that the massive turnout serves as a validation of the governor’s leadership, proving that his administration is fully grounded across Kwara Central and the entire state.