The Elders Caucus of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has unanimously endorsed the rotation of the 2027 governorship ticket to the Kwara North Senatorial District, describing the move as essential for equity, fairness, and inclusive governance.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Chairman of the APC Elders Caucus Kunle Sulaiman noted that Kwara Central and Kwara South have held the state's top political office for nearly three decades 20 years and 8 years respectively.

He stressed that allocating the next gubernatorial nomination to Kwara North would correct the imbalance in political representation and foster greater unity across the state's three senatorial zones.

"The principle of zoning is not just about power sharing it is about justice and national cohesion," Sulaiman said. "After decades of exclusion, it is time for Kwara North to take its rightful turn."

The endorsement adds momentum to growing calls within the party for an equitable transition ahead of the 2027 elections.

"You may wish to recall that on Monday, November 21, 2022, at this same venue, this Caucus addressed the press and made its stand known on the issue of zoning arrangements for the APC gubernatorial candidature that the then incumbent, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq from Kwara Central, be allowed to have another shot to complete two terms of eight years, which would make Kwara Central senatorial district to have spent 20 years all together as chief executive of the state, while Kwara south senatorial district has also produced a governor for eight years.

"In the same vein, we posit that it is in the interest of fair play, equity and justice that we members of the Kwara APC Elders Caucus unanimously agreed that the next gubernatorial candidate for our great party should emerge from the Kwara North senatorial district," Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman, who commended Governor AbdulRazaq for making them proud with his great performances across the state, also commended President Bola Tinubu for setting Nigeria on a recovery course from its dwindling economy.

Listing the governor's developmental achievements across parts of the state, Sulaiman, however, regretted that "some of these achievements have evoked some negative comments and reactions from some members of the opposition political parties.

"It is obvious that every developmental policy, programme and project may pose initial but temporary discomfort," he said.

He emphasised that developmental efforts of the government in Ilorin, the capital city, are in line with the Urban Renewal Project, under the New Ilorin City Master Plan.

"Therefore, we would like to advise opposition parties to display a sense of patriotism by supporting and joining hands with the laudable programmes of this administration for the progress of Kwara State," he added.

He advised the residents and indigenes affected by the ongoing urban renewal drive of the governor to relate with government agencies, rather than be used by the opposition to foment crisis.

"For those aggrieved members of the public who might have complained about the effects of the ongoing Urban Renewal Programme, they are advised to seek redress through appropriate quarters of government rather than allowing themselves to become agents of opposition," he said.