Bolujoko Abandons Governorship Bid, Endorses Salako, Urges Kwara South Unity

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Before the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Kwara State, Hon. George Bolujoko, a candidate from the Kwara South senatorial district, officially withdrew from the 2027 governorship race and announced his support for Dr. Azeez Salako Muyideen Olaniyi.

He urged political actors in the district to unite behind a single candidate.

In a statement released in Ilorin on Monday, signed by Bolujoko and provided to journalists, he explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with leaders, stakeholders and supporters across Kwara South, emphasizing that the district’s collective interest should outweigh personal ambition.

“We cannot afford to divide ourselves at a critical moment like this. Kwara South must speak with one voice if we truly want to produce the next governor of Kwara State,” he said.

Bolujoko said his decision was influenced by a recent appeal from the Aro Meta Development Association, which urged aspirants from the district to close ranks and work toward a common political goal ahead of the 2027 elections.

He warned that internal rivalry among aspirants could weaken the district’s chances and give advantage to other zones.

The former aspirant also endorsed the power‑sharing framework proposed by the association for an equitable distribution of major political offices among the Igbomina, Ibolo and Ekiti ethnic blocs in Kwara South.

“As an indigene of Ifelodun Local Government Area from the Igbomina bloc, I believe respecting the arrangement is the right thing to do since the governorship position has not been zoned to our bloc,” he said.

Describing the arrangement as fair, just and inclusive, Bolujoko added that it would give all ethnic blocs in the district a sense of belonging.

He further appealed to other governorship aspirants in Kwara South to follow his example and rally behind Dr. Salako in order to strengthen the district’s prospects for 2027.

“The time for contestation within our district is over; the time for consolidation is now. If we continue with internal divisions, we may end up gifting the governorship to another zone on a platter,” he added.

Bolujoko pledged to deploy his political structure and supporters in support of Salako’s candidacy, insisting that the struggle was larger than individual interests.

“This is about Kwara South first. This is about posterity. History will judge us by the choices we make today,” he declared.