A group, Kwara Citizens Movement for Ethical Politics and Good Governance (KCMEPGG), has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency not to commit political suicide by fielding Senator Saliu Mustapha representing Kwara Central as its preferred governorship candidate in 2027.

The group, in a statement, emphasised that “APC must not commit political suicide,” adding that the people of Kwara State deserve a better candidate.

The KCMEPGG sprang up barely 24 hours after the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council (IEPAC) anointed the federal lawmaker as the next governor.

KCMEPGG said it was compelled to raise the challenge “in the overriding public interest and in defence of truth, integrity, and the future of Kwara State, to raise a loud and urgent alarm over the dangerous political scheming currently being orchestrated by Senator Saliu Mustapha and his collaborators to manipulate the 2027 governorship process in Kwara State.”

The group added: “This is no longer politics. This is an attempt to deceive the Presidency; this is an attempt to blackmail the leadership of the APC and hoodwink Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“This is an attempt to impose a deeply controversial and morally burdened candidate on the people of Kwara State through propaganda, financial inducement, and calculated misinformation.”

KCMEPGG noted that Kwara State must not be sacrificed on the altar of deceit.

“Who really is Sen Saliu Mustapha?” the group asked. “Before the 2023 elections, what verifiable record of transparent enterprise, public service, or known economic contribution existed in his name; what established business institution was publicly known and operational under his stewardship; what visible industrial footprint existed in Kwara State under his leadership; what legacy of employment generation or community development was associated with him before his sudden political rise? Kwarans deserve answers; Nigerians deserve answers; and the Presidency deserves to know the truth.”

The group also raised concern over “credible reports” in political circles and “pictorial evidences” showing Mustapha fraternising with Dr. Bukola Saraki, a leading opposition figure, “in a manner suggesting exchange of sensitive party information and internal strategic positions, while simultaneously positioning himself for leadership within the APC.”

The group urged the APC to field a candidate with an unquestionable loyalty, transparent antecedents, a known history of enterprise, verifiable record of service, genuine grassroots acceptance, integrity under scrutiny, respect for party leadership, respect for the governor, respect and loyalty for the President and ultimately genuine respect for the people.

It warned that “anything less would amount to political suicide.”