Kwara APC Holds Rally to Support Tinubu and Candidates

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State organized a rally in Ilorin on Sunday. The event celebrated the successful completion of the party's primaries. It also aimed to gather support for President Bola Tinubu and the party’s candidates in the state.

The rally, called the ‘Kwara Ndupe Rally’, attracted thousands of party members. They marched along major roads in the city, starting from Queen Elizabeth School through Surulere, Oja-Oba, and Post Office, and ended at the party’s secretariat in the GRA.

Oba Abdulkadri, the Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, spoke at the rally. He was pleased with the large turnout, calling it a sign of unity within the APC. "We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood," he said. He expressed confidence in the party's future in the state. "The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright. We are not afraid. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state."

Sa’adu Salau, the Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, emphasized that the party was ready for issue-based campaigns and door-to-door mobilization. He urged members to stay committed to achieving electoral success in the general elections. "This rally must translate to PVC collection, voter registration, and polling-unit victory in February 2027. There must not be complacency," he said. "We will campaign on our record, not insults, because our party has a track record of road networks, schools, hospitals, and regular payment of salaries to show Kwarans. The opposition has nothing."

Sunday Fagbemi, the state chairman of the APC, expressed his happiness with the crowd. He was hopeful that the party would win in 2027. "With what I have seen here, it is fair to say that all our candidates are in. More people are still coming to join our party," he said. He spoke through the Deputy Chairman, Abdullahi Samari, who encouraged dissatisfied members to let the party resolve their issues.

Abdulateef Alakawa, the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, called the rally a show of unity and gratitude. He stated that the selection of candidates for various positions reflected the wishes of party members through the direct primary election process. He added that the rally was a practice run for the 2027 elections and a chance to show support for President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. "Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We are grateful to God that the primaries were peaceful and successful, with our candidates emerging across the various positions," he said.

Ahmad Muhammad, the APC candidate for the Kwara North Senatorial District, thanked party members and the people of Kwara North for their trust during the primaries. He also thanked President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for their support, especially for zoning the governorship ticket to Kwara North. He said this showed fairness in the party and added that the APC was well-positioned to keep power in the state in 2027. "We appreciate the people of Kwara State for allowing Kwara North to produce the next governor. Today’s rally demonstrates the confidence and support the people have for the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq and the APC," he said. He expressed faith in the party's chances, saying, "We are confident of victory. APC has continued to enjoy the support of the people, and we believe that will be sustained."

Olalekan Adewoye, the APC candidate for the Kwara South Senatorial District, also thanked party leaders and members for their support. He called the APC a united family and said the outcome of the primaries showed the collective decision of party members. "I am grateful to God and to the leadership of our party for the confidence reposed in me. Without their support, this would not have been possible," he said.

Rafiu Ajakaye, the APC candidate for the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, mentioned that the large turnout at the rally showed that the APC was the party to beat. "I feel great, excited, and grateful to the leaders and the structure of our party, starting from the President, His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, and all our leaders and party members across the three senatorial districts," he said.

"The crowd here is a testament to the fact that the APC is the party to beat. The election is ours to lose. We have won the elections before. The results were so overwhelming. This rally is organic enough."

He went on, "You can see the support and the excitement. We are indeed grateful to the party faithful and, indeed, members of the public who also joined us during the rally."