• Group opposes Saliu Mustapha’s guber endorsement
• Youths, groups endorse Yahaya Seriki for governor

As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council (IEPAC), comprising an influential body of elders and stakeholders in Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resolved to investigate and support candidates and political platforms that would accord the district its “rightful place” in the political structure of the state.
 
The council declared this in a statement read at a press conference by its National Coordinator, Dr Yakub Yahaya Oloriegbe, with the Secretary, Lt. Col Abubakar Edun (rtd), in Ilorin.
 
At the forum, the group also endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office and backed Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, as its preferred governorship candidate in 2027.
 
According to the council, the decision followed what it described as a “careful deliberation and assessment” of aspirants vying for key political offices.
 
In endorsing Tinubu, the body cited his administration’s performance in the past three years, particularly the support extended to Kwara Central.

IEPAC said it had resolved to support candidates and political platforms that would accord the district its “rightful place” in the political structure of the state.
 
On the governorship race, the council threw its weight behind Senator Mustapha, describing him as a candidate with “wide acceptability, maturity, experience and exposure.”
 
It added that the lawmaker has the capacity not only to win the election, but also to govern the state “justly, fairly, and competently.”
 
The council, however, stressed that its endorsement should not be interpreted as an attempt to sideline other aspirants.

IEPAC urged political actors across the state, especially major parties, to align with its position in the interest of “unity, stability, and progress.”
 
The council further stated that it would continue to monitor political developments and could endorse other aspirants it deems capable of sustaining the achievements of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
 
The endorsement signals early political positioning ahead of next year’s elections, with stakeholders in Kwara Central seeking to consolidate influence in the state’s power dynamics.

HOWEVER, 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 Mustapha as its preferred governorship candidate in 2027.
 
In a statement, the group advised: “APC must not commit political suicide and the people of Kwara State deserve better.”
 
It expressed that, “the Presidency deserves honesty, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves genuine loyalty not opportunistic performance, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deserves a credible successor, not an adversary in disguise.”
 
The KCMEPGG sprang up barely 24 hours after IEPAC annointed the federal lawmaker as the next governor.
 
It 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 Soliu Mustapha and his collaborators to manipulate the 2027 governorship process in Kwara State.”
 
ALSO, Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki has received endorsements across the three senatorial districts.
 
Notably, the Kwara North Women Advancement Group (KNWAG) has declared support for him, citing his track record as a successful entrepreneur and business leader. 
 
The group’s endorsement was conveyed in a statement jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Hajarat Jummai Usman, and the Kaiama Local Government Coordinator, Hajia Ramat Husaini, who noted that “his economic expertise and leadership capacity position him to drive growth and stability in the state.”
 
Similarly, the Kwara Central Advancement Stakeholders Forum, comprising APC members from Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, and Ilorin South local governments, endorsed Seriki after assessing all the aspirants.
 
The forum’s position was contained in a statement signed by its Secretary, Akanbi Lamidi, emphasising the need for continuity in governance, and calling on party members and residents to support his emergence as the APC flagbearer.
 
Also lending its voice, the Ilorin Emirate Youth Assembly (IEYA) endorsed Seriki in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Ayuba Olomogbona, and Secretary, Lateef Oloyin.
 
In Kwara South, stakeholders have equally expressed their support for the aspirant, describing him as “a capable and dependable leader with strong grassroots connections.”
 
According to a statement e-signed by Kwara South Stakeholders Media and Publicity, the group expressed confidence that his emergence would sustain and consolidate the developmental strides of the current administration.