Zoning controversy splits Kwara APC
Kwara North elders rally behind Senator Sadiq Umar for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 governorship ticket, as other aspirants disagree over zoning to the district in next year’s general
Kwara North elders rally behind Senator Sadiq Umar for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 governorship ticket, as other aspirants disagree over zoning to the district in next year’s general election. Correspondent ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports
A fierce debate over zoning the 2027 Kwara governorship to the North is polarising the APC and fueling tensions across the state.
Traditionally, the issue of zoning—an informal arrangement in which major political offices are rotated among the three senatorial districts: North, Central, and South—has played a prominent role in Kwara politics. In past cycles, the governorship has been dominated by candidates from Kwara Central and Kwara South. Kwara North had only one brief spell many years ago.
The past several governors have come from Central or South, prompting Kwara North supporters to argue it’s time for a shift. This historic pattern fuels the current zoning debate, with many urging that power be moved to Kwara North.
The zoning brouhaha is more strident among governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has thrown its governorship seat open to candidates from all regions. The PDP adopted this open-ticket policy to promote inclusiveness and encourage wider participation across the state’s diverse communities.
Within the APC, candidates and stakeholders are deeply divided between those who support strict zoning for Kwara North and those who prioritise merit or administrative experience regardless of region. On the other hand, the PDP publicly emphasises that merit and electoral viability—not zoning—will determine its flag bearer for the 2027 election.
According to party sources, the PDP hopes that offering equal opportunity to all aspirants, regardless of region, will help attract the most competent candidate and broaden its appeal among the electorate ahead of the 2027 general election.
While aspirants from the northern regions on the APC platform have been clamouring for a power shift to their districts, other contestants from the Kwara South and Central senatorial districts prefer competence and records of administrative experience.
Some southern and central aspirants have argued that zoning may undermine merit, stressing the need to prioritise the most qualified candidate regardless of regional origin. For instance, a leading aspirant from Kwara South reportedly stated, “The people want a leader with a proven track record and vision, not just one chosen based on geography.”
Contenders from Kwara Central emphasise that success depends on fielding a unifying candidate, regardless of senatorial district. Many stakeholders believe the fairest approach is to maintain a level playing field and let internal democracy determine the party’s flagbearer.
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Incidentally, elders of the party, under the aegis of the Kwara State APC Elders Caucus, have been agitating for power to be shifted to the northern part of the state on the basis of equity, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Aspirants from the north are Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, Kwara Assembly Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi, chartered accountant Tajudeen Audu and Mohammed Bio.
Senator Umar is currently representing the district in the upper legislative chamber.
Curiously, the elders narrowed their support for Senator Umar’s candidacy just last week. According to sources within the caucus, the decision was reached after consultations with all district aspirants. During these consultations, opinions were openly shared.
The elders then held a closed-door meeting. During the meeting, they reportedly reached a consensus rather than vote formally to endorse Senator Umar as the preferred candidate. This collective agreement was intended to present a unified front and strengthen the legitimacy of their choice.
They accordingly prevailed on all other aspirants from the Kwara North senatorial district to drop their 2027 governorship ambitions in favour of Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar.
The APC Elders Caucus based its endorsement on equity and inclusive governance.
Chair of the caucus, Chief James Ayeni, said this at the endorsement of Senator Umar’s governorship ambition.
Chief Ayeni added that the senator possesses the requisite qualities of a good leader.
He said, “We have resolved to endorse Senator Umar’s aspiration, based on our findings, after we have engaged and interacted with the aspirants from the district.
“We would like to prevail on other aspirants from Kwara North to willingly support him in the overall interest and spirit of oneness, sense of belonging and unity of purpose.
He said this endorsement upholds the caucus’s view that, in the interest of justice and inclusion, the APC should present a Kwara North candidate for the 2027 governorship.
Earlier, at a town hall meeting in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, the elders said that “Umar is not just a mere aspirant; he is a symbol of resilience, excellence, and the long-awaited bridge between exclusion and inclusion. As a highly competent and accomplished professional, he brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of service, and a clear understanding of the challenges facing our state.
“On behalf of the APC elders from Kwara South, we extend our unwavering support to Senator Umar, our candidate. We believe in his vision, we trust his capacity, and we are confident that with the support of the people, victory is assured.”
Additionally, to garner more support, the district recently organised a mega rally to canvass for the zoning of the governorship to their region.
The former speaker of the state House of Assembly and two-time minister, Issa Bio Ibrahim, addressed the gathering on behalf of the district’s leaders and stakeholders.
He used the forum to announce the district’s resolve to support any of their sons who emerge as the APC’s governorship candidate. Their aim is for the district to occupy the state’s number one political office for the first time since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Ibrahim said they have secured the cooperation of all the governorship aspirants from Kwara North to that effect.
He literally begged the people of Kwara Central and Kwara South to support the northern senatorial district in its bid to produce the next governor of the state in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers from Kwara North, the Emir of Lafiagi, Alh. Muhammad Kudu Kawu said the agitation for a power shift reflects the longstanding aspirations of the district’s people.
According to him, Kwara North has, for decades, remained on the margins of the state’s top leadership despite its contributions to electoral victories and the state’s political stability.
He noted that the district has demonstrated electoral loyalty and unity, contributing significantly to the ruling party’s success, and should be considered for fairness.
Kawu appealed to stakeholders in Kwara Central and South to cede the governorship seat to Kwara North. He stressed that allowing Kwara North to produce the next governor would strengthen unity and sustain the state’s reputation as the “State of Harmony”.
A former state legislator and commissioner of information, Abdul Mumin Katibi, presented statistical data. He showed that Kwara North in past elections produced the second-largest vote bloc after Kwara Central. For instance, during the last governorship election, Kwara North delivered approximately 230,000 votes. This accounted for around 28 per cent of the total ballots cast statewide.
This significant share underscores the region’s crucial role in determining electoral outcomes and strengthens the argument for greater inclusion in the state’s top leadership.
He said these statistics showed that the district had always played a prominent role in the emergence of the people of Kwara Central and Kwara South as governors.
Katibi said the time has come for the people of the other two senatorial districts to reciprocate Kwara North’s gesture.
