Former Kwara State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Hakeem Lawal, has reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress, declaring support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Yakubu Salihu-Danladi.

Lawal, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the SDP platform, made the declaration on Saturday in Ilorin during a stakeholders’ engagement.

The former candidate, who is the son of the late former Kwara State Governor, Muhammad Lawal, said he had deliberately remained silent about his political position in recent months despite questions over his allegiance.

He urged aggrieved APC members who had left the party to return, assuring them that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time.

Lawal said the gathering was organised to unite old, new members of the party, preserve its political legacy and chart a common direction ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also dismissed reports of disagreement between Salihu-Danladi, his running mate, Kayode Alabi, describing the reports as propaganda and social media speculation.

On the reported disagreement involving the G15 group, Lawal described its members as brothers, integral members of the APC family, saying their differences would be resolved through dialogue.

He expressed confidence that the party would overcome its internal challenges and remain united ahead of the election.

The APC State Deputy Chairman, Abdullahi Samari, also urged party members to persuade aggrieved members to return rather than confront them.

Samari expressed confidence that the party would resolve its challenges before the 2027 election and retain power in the state.