Kwara APC Elders, G15 Reject AbdulRazaq’s Candidates, Back Tinubu for 2027

The Kwara State APC Elders Caucus and the group of 15 governorship aspirants, known as G15, have rejected the party’s governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, and other candidates backed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group announced the decision on Thursday in Ilorin during a town hall meeting with party stakeholders, where it also adopted a new name, The Otoge Progressives (TOP).

The aggrieved elders and former governorship aspirants accused the AbdulRazaq administration of high-handedness and poor leadership, while opposing the process that produced the governor’s preferred candidates.

However, the group reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, promising to mobilise votes for him across Kwara State.

The G15 comprises serving senators, former lawmakers and other prominent APC members, including Senators Saliu Mustapha, Umar Sadiq and Oyelola Ashiru, as well as former Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Bolarinwa Bashiru, Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, Oluwatoyin Alabi, Bio Umar, Tajudeen Audu and Dele Belgore.

The meeting was attended by APC elders, former public office holders, women and youth leaders, including the Chairman of the APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Ayeni, and Kwara Central APC leader, Salman Jawondo, SAN.

A motion moved by Senator Saliu Mustapha reaffirmed the group’s confidence in President Tinubu and endorsed his re-election for a second term.

The group also urged the national leadership of the APC to address growing concerns among party members in Kwara, warning that internal divisions could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the state.

The stakeholders said they would continue to pursue their political objectives through lawful and democratic means while remaining open to alliances that would advance their interests and those of the people of Kwara State.