JUST IN: “Enough of Political Slavery”: Kwara North Youths Revolt Against Alleged Ilorin Domination Ahead of 2027
…Threaten Mass Political Resistance if Governorship Ticket Is Denied Again
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
A fiery political statement purportedly issued by a coalition identified as “The Awake People of Kwara North” has ignited fresh debate over zoning, power rotation, and alleged political marginalization in Kwara State ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
In the strongly worded declaration, the group accused political elites in Ilorin and Kwara Central of treating Kwara North as a “political plaything” for over four decades, alleging a deliberate scheme to deny the region access to the governorship seat despite its electoral importance.
The statement described the relationship between Kwara North and the dominant political bloc in Ilorin as one built on “deception, manipulation and exploitation,” insisting that the time had come for the northern district to resist what it called a long-standing culture of political exclusion.
According to the group, successive political arrangements in the state have consistently favored Kwara Central in the sharing of power, while Kwara North has remained sidelined despite repeated promises of inclusion.
“We are born, we grow up, and we die, and throughout our lives, the people of Ilorin and Kwara Central have been playing with Kwara North like a ball,” the statement declared.
The group alleged that political leaders from the central district routinely seek the support of Kwara North during elections, only to abandon agreements on power rotation once victory is secured.
The coalition particularly condemned alleged plans to impose a governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections without a transparent primary process, warning that any attempt to deny Kwara North the opportunity to produce the next governor could trigger unprecedented political resistance.
“No primary election. No delegates’ vote. No voice for Kwara North. Just an endorsement handed down from Ilorin, as if we are children who cannot think for ourselves,” the statement read.
Describing the situation as “political slavery,” the group called on youths and elders across the district to unite against what it termed a systematic suppression of the region’s political aspirations.
The statement also urged traditional and political leaders from Kwara North not to compromise the interests of the zone for personal gains such as appointments and contracts.
“Youths are watching. History will remember who stood with the people and who sold them out,” the group warned.
In what appears to be a direct message to the ruling APC, the coalition threatened to withdraw electoral support from any party that fails to present a credible Kwara North governorship candidate through what it described as a legitimate democratic process.
“If APC refuses to present a Kwara North candidate through a legitimate primary, then Kwara North must vote for its own son or daughter under another platform,” the group declared.
The statement, however, emphasized that its agitation was not a call for violence but a demand for justice, fairness, and political equity in the state.
While insisting that the struggle was not directed against the people of Ilorin, the coalition maintained that the existing power structure in Kwara State was unjust and unsustainable.
Observers say the declaration may deepen conversations around zoning and power rotation within Kwara politics as permutations for the 2027 governorship election gather momentum.
Neither the leadership of the APC in Kwara State nor political stakeholders from Kwara Central had officially reacted to the statement as of press time.
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