AbdulRazaq Says Kwara Remains APC Stronghold Ahead of 2027 Elections

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has declared that the state remains a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that the party’s electoral victories since 2019 have weakened the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor made the statement on Sunday in Ilorin while receiving a delegation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari.

AbdulRazaq, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said the APC’s position in the state had remained strong and expressed confidence that the party would consolidate its support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He attributed the party’s prospects partly to the decision of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP figure, to join President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign council and declare support for his re-election bid.

The governor estimated that the APC previously commanded about 70 per cent of the state’s voting strength, compared with 30 per cent for the PDP. He argued that Wike’s alignment with the presidential campaign could further strengthen Tinubu’s support in the state.

AbdulRazaq described Kwara as one of the states where the APC expected a strong performance, maintaining that the PDP had continued to lose ground since 2019.

He commended the composition of the campaign council, saying the experience and contributions of its members demonstrated the party’s commitment to the task ahead.

The delegation included more than 10 former governors, former National Assembly members and other party chieftains. Among those present were former governors Aminu Bello Masari, Rochas Okorocha, Ali Modu Sheriff, Abubakar Badaru, Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Shema, Sani Yerima, Abdullahi Ganduje and Olusegun Mimiko.

Yari thanked AbdulRazaq for the reception accorded the delegation and sought his continued support for the APC’s nationwide campaign.

He said the visit was intended to acknowledge the governor’s contributions to the party and strengthen collaboration ahead of the elections.

The delegation also visited the palace of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to seek his prayers and blessings for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

Yari said the engagement formed part of the campaign council’s consultations with traditional institutions across the country.

The Emir welcomed the delegation and prayed for the success of Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

In a separate engagement, Yari led party officials on a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. The campaign council clarified that the visits to traditional rulers were intended to strengthen engagement and seek their counsel and prayers, rather than obtain political endorsements.

The APC’s preparations come amid wider political realignments and negotiations among parties and political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.