Kwara APC grapples with succession, zoning, and emerging aspirants as 2027 governorship race gains momentum across the state
Beneath the outward calm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, a complex struggle over who will succeed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in 2027 is quietly gathering momentum, as zoning debates clash with emerging ambitions from Kwara North and a resurgent Kwara South.
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Since the APC swept to power in 2019, the party has maintained a firm grip on Kwara’s political machinery.
With the governor entering the final stretch of his second term, attention has shifted from governance to succession, prompting questions about who will succeed him, from which district, and under what arrangement.
The zoning debate intensified in November 2025 when Kwara APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi said the party had yet to decide whether to zone the governorship ticket.
Kwara North, which has never produced a civilian governor since 1999, has long agitated for inclusion.
Fagbemi stressed that any zoning decision would require national party approval, signalling that local consensus alone may not determine the outcome.
Governor AbdulRazaq has emphasised unity and legacy over succession, urging party officials to accommodate all members.
“I am just interested in building a legacy… I am not interested in building a dynasty,” he said during a December 2025 APC stakeholders’ meeting.
Despite the public unity message, political watchers say groundwork for the 2027 race is underway.
Controversy emerged in December 2025 with the suspension of Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, allegedly for refusing to back Speaker of the State House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi-Salihu’s governorship ambition.
The Assembly leadership denied the claim.
Kwara North has coalesced around Danladi-Salihu, praised for his legislative experience, grassroots connection, and administrative exposure.
Advocates argue that his candidacy represents both continuity and historical correction.
Meanwhile, Kwara South is increasingly asserting itself. Names gaining traction include Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Deputy Senate Leader Senator Oyelola Ashiru, former APC Chairman Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, and world-renowned neurosurgeon Prof. Wale Sulaiman.
Analysts note Fagbemi’s increased presence at APC functions and his federal connections, while Ashiru enjoys visible grassroots mobilisation, backed by local stakeholders.
Prof. Wale Sulaiman has received endorsements from the Kwara Young Progressives Network, which cited his technocratic experience, public service, and humanitarian initiatives as qualifications for leadership.
Supporters highlighted his prior role as Special Adviser on Health to Governor AbdulRazaq, his work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his international healthcare experience.
Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, former APC chairman and lawmaker, has also resurfaced as a strategic contender.
The Kwara Legacy Group endorsed him as its consensus candidate, citing his experience, sacrifices, and contributions to the APC’s rise in the state, including defeating the long-standing Saraki political dynasty in 2019.
As the 2027 elections approach, the APC in Kwara faces the delicate task of balancing zoning, managing emerging ambitions, and maintaining party unity.
Decisions regarding rotation, open contest, or a national consensus are expected to shape both the party’s future and Kwara’s political trajectory.
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One thing is clear: beneath the calm, the battle for Kwara has begun.
