Leaders and aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara North Senatorial District have insisted on the preservation of the district’s zoning arrangement.

They threatened that any attempt to undermine the long-standing political arrangement could threaten the existing peace, unity and stability in the zone.

The position was reached on Monday at a strategic consultative meeting in Patigi local government between APC senatorial aspirants from the council and the Etsu Patigi, who is also the Vice Chairman of the state traditional council of Chiefs, Dr Alhaji Umar Bologi.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the aspirants reaffirmed commitment to the zoning principle, describing it as “the foundation for fairness, political inclusion and harmonious coexistence among communities in Kwara North.”

They stressed that the existing rotational arrangement must be respected in the interest of justice and equity, insisting that zoning has remained central to the district’s political stability over the years.

The aspirants also pledged to maintain unity among themselves regardless of who eventually emerges as the APC senatorial candidate from Patigi Local Government Area ahead of the next election cycle.

According to the communiqué, all aspirants agreed to support whoever secures the party’s ticket, noting that political ambition should not be allowed to destroy the enduring brotherhood and relationships among political stakeholders in the area.

The meeting further appealed to the incumbent Senator representing Kwara North, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, to honour the established zoning understanding which, according to them, played a significant role in his emergence as senator.

The aspirants recalled that despite having prominent political figures from Patigi on the ballot during the 2023 elections, the people of the local government delivered overwhelming support for Senator Umar, who hails from Kaiama Local Government Area, to ensure the success of his second-term bid.

They urged the senator not to allow personal ambition to override the collective interest of the district, adding that political decisions taken today would shape his enduring legacy in Kwara North politics.

The APC aspirants also appealed to the leadership of the party and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene by protecting the existing zoning arrangement in order to sustain the peaceful political atmosphere in the senatorial district.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to preserve unity within the APC, uphold the existing political understanding in Kwara North and work collectively for the continued strength of the party ahead of future elections.