Kwara North Monarchs Tell Tinubu and AbdulRazaq They Heard Their Pleas by Giving the Gubernatorial Ticket to the North

Traditional rulers in Kwara North Senatorial District visited Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the weekend to thank him after Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), was chosen as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial flag‑bearer.

Led by Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, the first‑class traditional leaders from various districts expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq and other stakeholders for securing a Kwara Northerner as the APC candidate.

“Your Excellency, the entire people of Kwara North are here this afternoon to thank you for what you have done for us. One of our sons, the Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, has become the flag‑bearer for APC governorship in the 2027 general elections and we are immensely grateful,” said Etsu Patigi during the visit at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin.

He added, “We are here this afternoon to say thank you very much, may Allah continue to guide and protect you.”

The monarch also praised the governor for his developmental initiatives in the region.

“We also thank you for everything you have been doing for us as a region. You have heard our cries and this has been a very long agitation from our people and today by the grace of God, Allah has made it possible through you,” he said.

“In general, we want to sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire APC members for making this possible.”

Governor AbdulRazaq described the visit as a strong statement of unity on zoning.

He said the emergence of a Kwara Northerner as the APC flag‑bearer would ensure equity and fairness in the rotation of leadership positions in the state.

“Moving political leadership around is important for fairness and equity. This is also good for development and a sense of belonging. That is why at the federal level, the President practically rotates between the North and South. It is about development, peace, harmony and equity. That is what we are looking at here,” he said.

The governor urged traditional leaders and the people of Kwara North to support Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi by voting en masse.

“I believe the people of Kwara North will grab this opportunity by voting overwhelmingly to make sure this becomes a reality. This is a big opportunity and one cannot say when next such opportunity will come again,” he said.

“You certainly do not want to prove some people right that Kwara North is not ready, and I don’t see this coming back in the long time if you miss it because people will say the people of Kwara North are divided and they have the votes. That is the perception they have created. So, let us make sure this perception does not stay,” he added.

The governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and interest in the process that led to a Kwara Northerner’s emergence.

“It is under his leadership that has allowed most of these issues to be equitably resolved,” he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted several developmental projects in Kwara North, including road infrastructure, basic health care facilities, and electrification projects, assuring the traditional rulers that if Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi is elected, he would build on the gains of the current administration.