Kwara APC Gubernatorial Aspirants Challenge Speaker Endorsement Plan

Gubernatorial aspirants within the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State have publicly rejected what they describe as an attempt to secure the party's 2027 nomination for Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu through manipulation of traditional rulers. The aspirants and party elders say they uncovered plans to mobilise monarchs across the state to visit President Bola Tinubu and endorse Salihu's candidacy, a development they say raises serious questions about the integrity of the nomination process.

Those opposing the alleged scheme include Director General of the National Orientation Agency Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, who is also an aspirant, as well as other candidates such as Dr Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Senator Salihu Mustapha (Turakin Ilorin), Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, and Alhaji Tajudeen Abdulkadir Audu (Makaman Lere). The group expressed these concerns during the APC national leadership meeting held in Abuja on 17 and 18 June.

The aspirants have emphasised that traditional institutions must remain insulated from partisan political activities. They argue that attempting to draw monarchs into endorsement schemes undermines the dignity of traditional rulership and distorts the democratic nomination process.

The group reiterated their commitment to a transparent primary election where candidates compete fairly without external manipulation. The Director General of the National Orientation Agency confirmed he obtained the nomination form to contest for the governorship position.

Multiple sources report that aspirants have dismissed suggestions that they agreed to support any single candidate, with some indicating their preference lies with ensuring the party's process remains credible and open to all qualified participants.