JUST IN: 2027: Kwara APC Youths Reject Alleged Danladi Succession Plan, Warn Tinubu of Electoral Fallout

 

 

 

By OGB Joseph, Abuja 

 

 

 

 

A coalition of youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt what it described as moves to impose the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Saliu Yakubu Danladi, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, warning that such a decision could jeopardise the APC’s chances of retaining power in the state.

 

 

 

 

The appeal followed the submission of a petition titled, “Humble Appeal for a Consensual Approach to the Nomination of the APC Governorship Candidate for Kwara State in the 2027 Election,” addressed to the President and copied to key leaders of the party and the Federal Government.

 

 

 

Addressing journalists in Abuja after presenting the petition, spokesperson of the group, Nasirudeen Rwark, said the youths were not opposed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq but insisted that the party must allow its governorship candidate to emerge through a transparent, democratic and consensus-driven process.

 

 

 

“We are for the masses. We want an acceptable candidate. We are for peace, progress and the unity of our party. We have nothing against our governor, but we believe that if the present Speaker emerges as the APC candidate, it will be difficult for the party to win the governorship election in 2027,” he said.

 

 

 

According to him, Kwara APC boasts more than 20 credible governorship aspirants with broad grassroots acceptance and the capacity to unite the party ahead of the next general election.

 

 

 

Rwark said the visit to Abuja became necessary after efforts by party stakeholders within the state failed to address their concerns over the alleged succession plan.

 

 

 

“Our elders have been making efforts for the future of the party, but we cannot leave the struggle to them alone. We are graduates, we are stakeholders, and we have every right to defend the future of the APC in Kwara,” he stated.

 

 

 

The youth leader warned that imposing a candidate could reverse the gains recorded through the 2019 “O To Ge” movement, which ended decades of political dominance by the Saraki political structure.

 

 

 

“We fought hard to change the political narrative in Kwara. We cannot afford to return to where we came from. What we need is a progressive with grassroots support, someone who can unite all interests across the state and lead the party to victory,” he added.

 

 

 

Responding to questions on why Governor AbdulRazaq should not be allowed to determine his successor like some APC governors in other states, Rwark argued that consensus arrangements only succeed where they enjoy widespread acceptance among stakeholders.

 

 

 

“One person cannot make such a decision. In states where consensus candidates emerged, there was consultation and agreement among party leaders. That is not what is happening in Kwara,” he maintained.

 

 

 

The Convener of the group, Ogbeni Segun Adewara, also appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the interest of party unity and internal democracy, insisting that the APC’s electoral strength in Kwara depends on allowing party members to freely choose their candidate.

 

 

 

The group warned that ignoring its appeal could have serious electoral consequences for the APC in the 2027 general elections.

“If our demands are ignored, it will be difficult for the APC to win not only the governorship election but also the presidential, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Kwara. We want to win, and that is why we are calling on Mr. President to ensure that a credible and widely accepted candidate emerges,” the group stated.

 

 

 

The petition reaffirmed the youths’ support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid and the Renewed Hope Agenda, while urging the APC leadership to protect the party’s democratic traditions through consultation, inclusiveness and respect for the wishes of its members.