Political groups in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have urged political actors in the state to eschew violence, rancour and other vices that would mar the 2027 general elections.

The APC group, called Asa Progressive Movement (APM) also sued for peaceful, issue-based campaigns ahead of the coming general elections.

The movement said this in Afon, headquarters of the Asa local government at the endorsement programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term as well as the governorship ambition of former state Chairman of the party, Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa.

In a jointly signed communiqué after a meeting, by the APM coordinator and the secretary, Engineer Daud Oladipupo Babatunde and Comrade Yusuf Mutiu Akorede, the movement said that: “We are committed to a peaceful, issue-based campaign and urge all political actors to shun violence, hate speech, and any conduct capable of heating up the polity.

“We call on all well-meaning sons and daughters of Kwara State, regardless of party affiliation, to join this movement for the restoration and advancement of our dear state.

“The 2027 election is about the future of our children and must rise above petty sentiments,” they urged.

They, however, threw their weights behind the aspiration of the one-time APC state chairman, saying: “We pass a vote of confidence in Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa and in the leadership of our great party, the APC, for presenting to the people a competent, credible, and compassionate candidate.

“All structures of the movement, from state to polling unit levels, are hereby directed to commence immediate and intensive mobilization for the candidature of Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa. Every member is now an ambassador of this project,” they sought.

The communiqué read further: “Our decision is predicated on Hon. Bolarinwa’s proven track record of service as former councilor, former council chairman, former member of the Federal House of Representatives, former state chairman of the party, who led the party to 100 per cent victory in the 2019 elections, and former board chairman of the NBC; his desire to tackle the lingering problems of insecurity, youth unemployment, and agricultural revival; and his integrity, accessibility, and capacity to unite the diverse peoples of the state.

“The APM unanimously endorses Bolarinwa as its preferred candidate for the office of Governor in the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” they concluded.