Elders and Stakeholders Say Danladi Won Kwara APC Gubernatorial Contest Convincingly

A group of Kwara All Progressives Congress (APC) elders and stakeholders have expressed strong support for Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), stating that he convincingly won the governorship primaries and remains the most popular aspirant due to his youth, grassroots backing, and capabilities.

During a press briefing on Monday afternoon in Ilorin, the elders dismissed earlier claims by some factions whose preferred candidates were defeated in the primaries, which were conducted by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro under the direction of the national party headquarters.

The delegation, drawn from all three senatorial districts, included the Chairman of the Lower River Niger Basin Development Authority, Mallam Lateef Gidado Alakawa; Ambassador Nurudeen Mohammed; Hon. Hassan Oyeleke; Alhaji Mustapha Kobe; Malam Abdulrazaq Lawal; Hon. Adamu Sabi; Mr Kayode Towoju; Malam Sadu Salahudeen; Dr. Wasiu Tejidini; Mr. Bamidele Aluko; the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly; all 16 APC local government party chairmen; all 16 council chairmen; and numerous other elders and stakeholders across the districts.

Alakawa, a party chieftain from Kwara Central, read a text that said: “The general public is aware that our party held its primaries for all elective offices, including the governorship ticket, in a peaceful atmosphere. The results of the governorship primary were announced by the chairman of the panel sent from Abuja to conduct the exercise, Hon. Musiliu Obanikoro, in the presence of all loyal party members at the Banquet Hall along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.”

“The governorship primary held on 22 May 2026 produced the incumbent speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Danladi‑Salihu, as winner. Since that time, none of the other gubernatorial aspirants has raised a complaint about the outcome. As a team player, the APC gubernatorial candidate has since extended fellowship to his co‑contestants.”

“Moreover, Hon. Danladi has toured the residences of key stakeholders in our state, including traditional rulers who have all blessed him, assured him of their support, and prayed for his victory at the polls in 2027.”

“Danladi Salihu’s credentials are public. In addition to being an engineer, he has gained significant political experience as the state’s number three citizen over the last seven years. He is also a youth who enjoys the support of a large youth population.”

“Regarding the so‑called elders’ disparaging comments about our leader, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, we clarify that the governor did not impose any gubernatorial candidates on the party. He allowed a free contest in the primary while not directly overseeing the exercise. He accepted the outcome, which was deemed peaceful, free, and fair by those who supervised it.”

Obanikoro, the chairman of the APC Supervisory Committee of the Kwara State governorship primary, announced that Danladi Salihu scored 94,990 votes, beating the other eight aspirants.

Alakawa noted that from central to north and south, party leaders, stakeholders, and members heavily attended to affirm Danladi Salihu’s choice, who polled more than 65% of the total ballots.

He recalled that key contenders, including Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, had earlier mobilised support for Danladi Salihu in a show of solidarity. All five local government areas in the north of the state returned more than 90% of their votes in favour of Danladi.

Alakawa added that the speaker also led comfortably across the other two senatorial districts, with the Southern District—Offa, Oyun, Irepodun, Ekiti, Isin, Oke Ero, and Ifelodun—firmly backing the speaker, underscoring his strong support base across the state.

The results for the other candidates were: Femi Sani – 5,519; Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe – 3,920; Belgore – 3,411; Mohamed Bio – 1,122; Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin – 1,099; Seriki – 41,700; Bolarinwa – 22,118; Prof. Wale Suleiman – 2,434; and Prof. Abubakar Suleiman – 1,722.

“The above illustration shows that Danladi‑Salihu won the gubernatorial primary convincingly. We expect the so‑called elders to join hands with our governor and other stakeholders to ensure the victory of our governorship candidate and all other APC candidates at the polls.”

“The conduct of these elders shows they are not patriotic members of the APC and do not have good intentions for our dear Kwara State. We believe every well‑meaning party member will pray for a successor who will continue the good work of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration.”

“Although we understand their concerns, we expected them to accept the outcome of the gubernatorial primary in good faith and join hands with our God‑sent governor to deliver the state to the APC in the 2027 general election. We are fortunate to have a listening and responsive governor who has always ensured that everyone is included in the running of the party and the state.”

“We want to assure His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, that Kwara is an APC state and, God willing, the governor and all genuine stakeholders will deliver the state once again to the APC in 2027.”