Thousands of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday converged on Ilorin, Kwara State, for a “Thank You” rally organised to celebrate the peaceful conduct of the party’s primary elections and reaffirm support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the party’s governorship candidate, Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rally took place on the same day supporters of another APC group, known as the G15, comprising aggrieved APC governorship aspirants, the state’s three serving senators, some members of the House of Representatives, and members and aspirants of the Kwara State House of Assembly, planned to hold what they called a solidarity rally. Organisers of the proposed Kwara APC G15 Supporters’ Solidarity Rally eventually postponed the event, which was initially planned to welcome APC leaders returning from Abuja after weeks of consultations aimed at resolving the lingering crisis within the state chapter of the party.

Sunday’s ‘Thank You’ rally, tagged the Kwara Ndupe Rally, attracted party leaders, elected officials, candidates and supporters from across the state, with participants marching through major roads in the Ilorin metropolis, including Queen Elizabeth School, Surulere, Oja-Oba, the Post Office and the APC State Secretariat in the Government Reservation Area (GRA).

Supporters displayed party banners, placards and branded attire while chanting slogans in support of the APC leadership and its candidates.

Addressing supporters during the rally, the Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Oba Magaji Abdulkadri, described the large turnout as evidence of the unity and strength of the party in the state.

“We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Abdulkadri said the APC remained well positioned to retain its dominance in Kwara State.

“The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright,” he added.

Responding to questions about opposition parties, he maintained that the APC had no reason to fear political competition.

“We are not afraid. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state,” he said.

The Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, urged party members to sustain the momentum generated by the rally through increased grassroots mobilisation, permanent voter card collection and voter registration.

“This rally must translate into PVC collection, voter registration and victories at every polling unit in the 2027 elections. There must be no room for complacency,” he said.

Salau added that the APC would campaign on its record in office, citing investments in road infrastructure, education, healthcare and prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

“We will campaign on our achievements rather than insults because we have tangible projects and programmes to present to the people of Kwara State,” he said.

Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, describing it as an indication of growing public support for the party.

Represented by the Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, Fagbemi urged members who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries to embrace ongoing reconciliation efforts.

“We are impressed by the overwhelming support demonstrated today, and we encourage every aggrieved member to allow the party’s reconciliation mechanisms to address any outstanding concerns,” he said.

The Kwara State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Alhaji Abdulateef Alakawa, described the rally as both a celebration of successful primary elections and an opportunity to reaffirm the loyalty of APC members to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq.

He said the emergence of candidates through the party’s direct primary process reflected the wishes of members.

“Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We thank God that the exercise was peaceful and successful,” Alakawa said.

He also disclosed that the party had already initiated reconciliation efforts to unite members following the primaries.

“In every democratic contest there are winners and others who may not emerge. Within the APC, however, we regard ourselves as one family, and we are confident that all issues will be resolved through dialogue,” he added.

The APC candidate for Kwara North Senatorial District, Dr Ahmad Umar Muhammad, thanked party members for their confidence and commended President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for zoning the governorship ticket to Kwara North.

According to him, the decision reflected fairness, inclusiveness and the party’s commitment to balanced representation.

“We appreciate the people of Kwara State for giving Kwara North the opportunity to produce the next governor. Today’s rally demonstrates the confidence our people have in the APC and Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership,” he said.

Muhammad expressed confidence that the APC would retain power in the state during the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the APC candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District, Prince Olalekan Adewoye, thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him.

“I am grateful to God and to the leadership of our party for the opportunity to serve. Without their support, this would not have been possible,” he said.

The APC candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, also described the rally as a demonstration of the party’s growing popularity.

“I feel excited and grateful to our leaders, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and all party members across the three senatorial districts,” Ajakaye said.

“The turnout today confirms that the APC remains the party to beat in Kwara State. The enthusiasm and organic support demonstrated here give us confidence as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.”