The albatross of 158 Kwara APC aspirants jostling for 24 House seats

By Muyideen Aliyu

As Nigeria’s major political parties commence their primaries in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directives to conduct May exercises for the 2027 general elections, the process has created significant strain within party structures nationwide.

This development suggests that the Nigerian political space is still in its infancy, as some aspirants have accused their state governors of hoarding and purchasing forms exclusively for preferred candidates.

Kwara State has emerged as the epicenter of intense political contest within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The state has recorded a staggering 16 governorship aspirants and 158 individuals jostling for just 24 House of Assembly seats.

This surge in participation is generating concern among stakeholders and political observers. The socio-political organization, Democratic Network International (DNI), described the situation as both a reflection of democratic vibrancy and a signal of potential internal fractures.

According to the group, Kwara’s numbers are the highest among states preparing for the 2027 governorship contests, surpassing Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Abia, and Rivers. The group’s coordinator, Israel Babatunde, warned that without deliberate political management, the crowded race could trigger deep divisions within the state’s APC chapter.

While acknowledging the engagement, DNI observed that the absence of consensus-building mechanisms could weaken party cohesion.

“In a situation where an unpopular aspirant is preferred over a more popular one due to self-interest or ethnic considerations, the party may have itself to blame,” the group stated.

The organization stressed the need for internal mediation, noting that the scale of participation has become increasingly unwieldy. Beyond the governorship race, more than 40 aspirants have purchased forms for the House of Representatives.

DNI expressed further concern regarding the financial implications, noting that the mass purchase of forms potentially running into billions of naira is excessive given Kwara’s economic standing.

Addressing aspirants before the screening exercise in Ilorin last Monday, the Chairman of the APC National Secretariat Screening Committee, Professor Success Musa, attributed the surge to the party’s internal democracy and popularity.

Musa explained that the screening aims to prevent legal blunders that could jeopardize victory, citing the party’s previous loss in Bayelsa State following a Supreme Court judgment on disqualification issues.

Despite these assurances, observers believe stronger leadership intervention is required to reduce tensions.

While Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s role in opening the political environment is seen as a positive development, DNI urged him to emulate consensus-driven models used in states like Borno, where Governor Babagana Zulum facilitated stakeholder alignment to minimize conflict.

Ultimately, DNI called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, warning that early engagement is vital to prevent the escalation of tensions in Kwara. The group noted that similar interventions by the President in states like Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, and Ekiti helped stabilize party structures. For the peace and unity of the Kwara APC, the group insists the time to act is now.