Kwara indigenes who want Governor Abdulrazaq’s job in 2027

As the tenure of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq gradually winds down and the 2027 general election approaches, a growing number of aspirants have begun jostling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with others emerging from the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Within the APC, aspirants are drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, and it remains uncertain whether the party will adopt a zoning arrangement, especially amid persistent agitation from the Kwara North Senatorial District.

However, the governor recently clarified that he has no anointed candidate among the aspirants, stressing that Kwarans should freely choose their preferred candidate. This position is widely seen as a signal encouraging citizens to exercise their discretion in selecting the most suitable individual to emerge as the party’s flag bearer in 2027.

Among the APC governorship aspirants who have declared interest and are considered strong contenders to succeed the incumbent governor are; Saliu Mustapha, senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District since 2023 and a prominent member of the ruling party. He is a development consultant, engineer, business mogul, and philanthropist.

Lola Ashiru, a philanthropist, architect and politician, who was elected senator on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to represent Kwara South Senatorial District since 2019. He is the chief executive officer of Capital Projects Limited, a real estate firm, with branches in Lagos, Abuja and other West African countries.

Sadiq Umar, is a senator representing Kwara North, under the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, the current speaker Kwara State House of Assembly, is also aspiring to succeed Governor Abdulrazaq.

Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, former Kwara APC chairman, two term Campaign DG of Governor Abdulrazaq.

Abubakar Suleiman, a professor who is currently serving as Director General National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies is vying under the ruling party.

Lanre-Issa Onilu, a veteran communications strategist and former APC spokesman. He is currently serving as director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Wale Sulaiman, a professor of neurosurgery, is the chairman Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun.

Ibrahim Oloriegbe, former senator and the chairman Governing Board of National Health Insurance Authority.

Sunday Adebayo Babalola, is an engineer and non-executive commissioner of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki is a chartered accountant, an APC chieftain from the central part of Kwara. Before he joined politics, he was a businessman and the founder and managing director of Kursi Investments Limited.

Others also aspiring to get the ruling Party’s ticket to contest Kwara 2027 governorship election are; Abdulmujib Olaniyi, Canada-based geologist; Azeez Salako, Global president of Offa Descendants Union, and Haliru Mahmud Dantsoho, former Kwara PDP Youth leader.

Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, a retired executive director of the Rural Electrification Agency, and an engineer, declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State under the opposition party (PDP).

Another aspirant from the PDP is Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman. He is a professor of Political Science and public officer. He is the current director general at the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies. Also, he was former minister of National Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from July 2014 to May 2015.