The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has dismissed concerns that the involvement of some of its leaders in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign could weaken the electoral prospects of its National Assembly candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, stated this on Sunday while responding to questions about how the PDP intended to protect its candidates’ interests amid reports of political alignments between some party leaders and Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Adewara argued that the grievances of Kwara residents were primarily directed at the state government rather than the President, insisting that Tinubu was not responsible for the difficulties the party alleged residents were experiencing in the state.

He criticised the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, citing allegations of actions affecting traders and small businesses in Ilorin. These included the reported flogging of market women at Oja Oba and the demolition of shops across the metropolis.

The PDP spokesman maintained that the party’s candidates could campaign on state-specific issues while voters separately assessed the President’s performance at the federal level.

His remarks come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with some opposition figures backing Tinubu’s re-election while retaining their affiliations with their respective parties.

The development has raised questions about whether such arrangements could create competing interests for opposition candidates contesting legislative seats against candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, Adewara expressed confidence that Kwara voters would distinguish between federal and state political contests when deciding whom to support.

The debate reflects the challenges facing opposition parties as they seek to maintain their political identities and protect their candidates while some of their prominent members participate in broader alliances ahead of the next general elections.

The Kwara PDP’s position is that support for Tinubu by individual party leaders does not automatically determine how voters will cast their ballots in National Assembly elections.