The news of the endorsement of Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as his preferred successor was received with joy and excitement by the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and various socio-political groups.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, led the pack of eminent personalities that expressed satisfaction with the decision of Governor AbdulRazaq.

The Kwara Central APC Elders Caucus, the Gamji Members Association (GAMA), the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the Kwara Central APC Ward youth leaders are some of the prominent groups that have applauded the governor's choice of Seriki as successor.

The APC chairmen in Kwara Central and Kwara South also welcomed the development.

In its reaction, the Concerned APC Stakeholders for Unity, Continuity and Progress dismissed the warped position of the "Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council" on the endorsement of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki.

The group said: "Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to the so-called 'Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council' regarding the endorsement of Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki Gambari, MFR, by His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

"Ordinarily, we would not have considered it necessary to dignify such a politically motivated statement with a response, but for the need to set the records straight and prevent deliberate distortion of facts capable of misleading the public.

"First, we wish to clearly state that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the leader of the APC in Kwara State and the sitting Governor who has worked closely with several stakeholders over the years, reserves every democratic and constitutional right to identify, support or endorse any aspirant he considers capable of protecting the gains of the administration and consolidating on the developmental trajectory of the state. That is democracy.

"It is therefore curious that individuals who have themselves benefited from political endorsements, alignments and consensus arrangements in the past suddenly now pretend that political consultations and endorsements are alien to democratic politics.

"More importantly, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki's growing acceptance across Kwara State did not begin today and certainly did not start because of any endorsement.

"His political journey, loyalty to the party, commitment to the Otoge struggle, contributions to the emergence and sustenance of the present administration, grassroots appeal, philanthropy, business accomplishments and broad-based relationships across Kwara Central, Kwara North and Kwara South are matters of public knowledge.

"This is a man who served as Director General of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Campaign Organization in Kwara Central during the historic 2019 elections and later as Director General of the APC Campaign Council in 2023. Through those difficult periods, he committed his time, resources, structures and energy toward building the very political system some individuals now seek to weaponise against him.

"It is therefore unfair and intellectually dishonest for anyone to suddenly reduce his emergence to 'imposition,' as though he is a political stranger imported from nowhere.

"For the avoidance of doubt, nobody has said the Governor's position automatically translates into a final outcome. The APC remains a structured political party guided by constitutional processes, consultations and democratic procedures. Aspirants remain free to consult, mobilise and seek support ahead of the party primaries.

"What then is the real issue? Is it now a crime for a Governor to publicly identify someone he trusts and has worked closely with?

"Or is the real discomfort the fact that Ambassador Yahaya Seriki has, through years of humility, loyalty, philanthropy and grassroots engagement, organically built broad acceptance across different segments of the state?

"We also find it strange that a group claiming to defend 'consultation' would issue such a sweeping statement without itself consulting the broad spectrum of political stakeholders, traditional title holders, youth groups, women leaders, professionals and grassroots actors within the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

"Who exactly constituted them as the sole voice of the Ilorin Emirate? The Ilorin Emirate is bigger than any pressure group or gathering of politically interested individuals.

"The Emirate has always stood for moderation, wisdom, loyalty, peace, consultation and respect for constituted authority. It has never been known for orchestrated political hysteria or selective outrage driven by personal ambition.

"We must also caution against dangerous attempts to create unnecessary tension around a simple political endorsement. Kwara State has enjoyed relative peace and political stability in recent years because major stakeholders placed collective interests above needless confrontation.

"No one should now attempt to overheat the polity simply because political permutations are not favouring certain interests.

"Ambassador Yahaya Seriki himself has repeatedly demonstrated maturity, humility and respect toward all aspirants and stakeholders within the APC. At no point has he attacked, insulted or undermined anyone's aspiration. His campaign has remained focused on continuity, unity, inclusion and consolidation of the developmental gains already recorded in the state.

"Those trying to portray his growing support base as an 'imposition agenda' are deliberately ignoring one simple reality: You cannot impose a man whom the grassroots already know, whom party faithful already identify with, and whose contributions to the party and society are visible across communities.

"Finally, we urge all party faithful, supporters and stakeholders to remain calm and focused. The APC in Kwara State is bigger than individual ambitions, and the ultimate objective must remain the unity, stability and continued progress of our dear state.

"Political competition should not degenerate into bitterness, blackmail or attempts to delegitimise others.

"Kwara belongs to all of us. And ultimately, the people and the democratic process will decide the future."

The Speaker, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sheu Yusuf, said he received with enthusiasm the endorsement of Seriki by Governor AbdulRazaq as his successor.

"As a committed and loyal party member with absolute belief in the leadership of the governor as our undisputed leader, I align myself with the endorsement in deference to the party's supremacy.

"Amba as he is fondly called is someone with whom I share deep and mutual respect. His endorsement is highly merited as the number one supporter and friend of the governor and our government. A successful businessman would be coming on board with a lot to offer and to consolidate the achievements of our leader, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq," the Speaker said.

The Elders Caucus of the APC in Kwara Central expressed delight over the endorsement of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as the gubernatorial candidate of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Caucus praised the foresight of Governor AbdulRazaq in endorsing Yahaya Seriki's candidature.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its coordinator, Alh. Razaq Lawal, chairman, Alh. Mustapha Kobe, secretary, Alh. Gani Alawo and public relations officer, Sulaiman Sheu AbdulSalam (Cement).

The Caucus said the combination of Governor AbdulRazaq as the leader of APC in the state, and Ambassador Seriki will deliver Kwara to APC during the 2027 general elections.

The group urged all loyal party members and supporters to abide by the decision of the governor whom they described as a pragmatic leader and advocate of youths and women development.

Also, the Gamji Members Association (GAMA) hailed Governor AbdulRazaq's endorsement of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred gubernatorial candidate for the Kwara State APC.

The association described the governor's decision as heroic and a welcome development.

In a statement signed by its president general, Alh. Tunde Akanbi and the publicity secretary, Alh. Abdullahi Olesin, GAMA described the choice of Ambassador Seriki, a proud northerner, as a right step in the right direction.

GAMA, an association devoted to the ideals of the late premier of the northern region and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, expressed confidence in the ability of Seriki to take the state to greater heights while also promoting its northern affinity.

It also praised Governor AbdulRazaq for renaming the Kwara State Government House as Ahmadu Bello House.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kwara State has expressed delight over Governor AbdulRazaq's endorsement of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred gubernatorial candidate for the Kwara State APC ahead of the Thursday primary election.

The association hailed the decision of the governor on the all-important issue of his successor, vouching for the capability of Seriki to improve on the indelible imprints of the AbdulRazaq administration.

In a statement signed by its acting chairman, Alh. Abdullahi Yusuf and the director of Media and Documentation, Alh. Abdullahi Olesin, ACF emphasised that Ambassador Seriki is one person that can consolidate on the laudable achievements of Governor AbdulRazaq's administration.

While acknowledging Seriki's passion for the development of the north, the association noted that the governorship seat will offer him the opportunities to develop Kwara State and further cement its relationship with other states in northern Nigeria.

Similarly, all the four APC chairmen in Kwara Central senatorial district have expressed full confidence in the choice of Ambassador Seriki as the preferred governorship candidate for the party in the 2027 election.

In a joint statement signed by APC local government chairmen in Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West, they commended the governor for picking the business mogul and top politician as his preferred candidate ahead of the primaries which holds on Thursday.

"It has always been our position that the Governor, like every leader who has done well for his people, deserves to have a strong say over who succeeds him. We are glad that His Excellency, after extensive consultations, has finally made his choice and we are fully in sync with this," the statement said.

The chairmen said they would mobilise party stakeholders and members to support Seriki in the ballot.

Also, the APC local government chairmen in Kwara South have unanimously declared their support for the emergence of Ambassador Seriki as the preferred governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 gubernatorial election.

In a statement issued after a brief meeting on Tuesday, the APC chairmen from the seven local government areas in Kwara South commended Governor AbdulRazaq for what they described as a wise and strategic decision capable of sustaining the developmental strides of the current administration.

They emphasised that the governor's leadership and performance over the years have earned him the moral authority to guide the party on the choice of a capable successor who will consolidate on his achievements.

The Kwara Central APC Ward youth leaders under the leadership of Comrade Mashood Oluwanishola Salman also lauded the endorsement of Ambassador Seriki.

They described the endorsement as a distinguished leadership style of rewarding loyalty, thanking Governor AbdulRazaq for his thoughtfulness.

The Kwara State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also threw its weight behind the endorsement of Seriki.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Kwara ALGON Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Danladi, said local government chairmen across the state are in full support of the governor's decision.

Danladi stated that ALGON members would fully mobilise support for Seriki ahead of the party primaries to ensure the success of the governor's political succession plan.

He called on party members and stakeholders to remain united and continue supporting the progressive agenda of the AbdulRazaq administration for the overall development of Kwara State.