Kwara 2027: APC Chieftain Decries Internal Crises, Warns PDP May Capitalise on Party's Decline

Date: 2026-06-17

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Hon. Toyin Olosasa, has raised the alarm over what he described as the party's declining fortunes ahead of the 2027 governorship election, warning that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be headed for an "easy victory" in the state.

Olosasa, in an interview with Arewa PUNCH on Sunday in Ilorin, blamed internal party decisions and leadership style for what he said was the steady erosion of the APC's political strength in the state.

He particularly faulted the emergence of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Danladi, as the party's governorship candidate, arguing that the development had triggered widespread dissatisfaction and weakened party cohesion across the state.

According to him, the outcome of the primary election has not only demoralised party loyalists but also created political openings that could be exploited by the opposition PDP and other rival forces.

Olosasa stressed, "I said it recently that there is nobody Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq endorses in this state today that can win any election again. His endorsement has become a curse rather than a blessing, and that is exactly what is now playing out in Kwara."

He maintained that the mood within the party had sharply contrasted with expectations following the primary, insisting that rather than celebrations, there was growing resentment among members.

"Since Danladi was declared the candidate, you will observe that nobody is jubilating. The average party member is mourning rather than celebrating," he said.

The APC stalwart further accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of mismanaging internal party structures and alienating key stakeholders, a development he said had weakened the party's grassroots mobilisation capacity that once delivered electoral victory in 2019.

Olosasa also expressed surprise that President Bola Tinubu reportedly endorsed the process that produced Danladi, despite what he described as clear signs of dissatisfaction within the party ranks.

He argued that the situation had raised broader questions about internal democracy within the APC and the direction of political decisions at both state and national levels.

"First, it is strange that Governor AbdulRazaq, who has destroyed party structures and alienated key leaders across the state, was still allowed to produce a successor," he said.

"Secondly, the candidate that emerged is, in my opinion, an even worse version of the outgoing governor. To worsen matters, he is neither the most acceptable candidate from Kwara North nor the most popular politician within the APC across the state."

Olosasa alleged that the manner of the candidate's emergence had fuelled suspicions among party members about possible political arrangements at higher levels of power, suggesting that such developments could ultimately benefit the opposition.

He also referenced speculation surrounding alleged political alignments involving the Presidency and the Saraki political camp, saying such perceptions were further deepening internal mistrust.

"If that is the ultimate objective, then they should simply tell us so that we can all line up behind Saraki. Saraki, in himself, is not a bad person," he said.

The APC chieftain warned that unless urgent reconciliation and restructuring efforts were undertaken within the party, the APC risked losing its grip on Kwara State in 2027.

According to him, the opposition PDP is already benefiting from the ruling party's internal divisions, declining morale and accusations of imposition.

"Kwara today is looking like a walkover for the PDP. Those engineering the current situation may not realise it now, but they are gradually handing over the state to the opposition," he said.

He maintained that his concerns were not isolated, insisting that several APC stakeholders privately shared similar views but were unwilling to speak publicly for political reasons.

Olosasa cautioned that continued disregard for internal warnings could have severe electoral consequences for the ruling party in the next general election cycle.

The APC in Kwara State has, in recent months, been grappling with a heated succession struggle following moves to shape the emergence of a preferred governorship candidate by AbdulRazaq.

The development culminated in the emergence of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party's flag bearer, a process that reportedly deepened divisions and triggered discontent among key stakeholders.

The outcome of the primary, according to party insiders, has continued to generate friction within the APC, with allegations of imposition, boycott threats and petitions sent to the national leadership in Abuja by aggrieved aspirants and blocs within the party.

Closely tied to the crisis is the long-standing zoning question, particularly agitation from Kwara North stakeholders who argue that the region has been politically sidelined since 1999.

While the APC has attempted to manage the rotation debate, disagreements over candidate selection have further fragmented party unity and weakened regional consensus ahead of 2027.

 

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