Kwara Senators Want APC Primaries Reviewed and Reconciliation Talks

Fresh divisions have appeared in the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress. The three senators from the state are calling for a review of the party’s recent primary elections. They also want a reconciliation committee to tackle the rising complaints among party members.

The senators, part of the Kwara APC Senate Caucus, are worried about what they see as a decline in party unity. They raised concerns about the controversies around the recent governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly primaries.

On Tuesday, the lawmakers issued a statement after a joint meeting. Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South), and Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) signed the communiqué. They stated that the party is facing a critical moment that needs quick action.

The senators pointed out that important party members have been left out of key decision-making processes. They said, “The Caucus observes an erosion of party cohesion. Legitimate stakeholders have been excluded from critical decision-making, breeding grievance where there ought to be consensus.”

They also criticized how the recent primaries were handled, especially the screening for candidates wanting State House of Assembly tickets. “The recently concluded Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Assembly primaries have generated avoidable controversy.

“Most disturbingly, approximately 70 per cent of sitting lawmakers were unable to clear the screening exercise for the State House of Assembly. This outcome cannot be reconciled with the principles of merit, fairness, and institutional memory,” the senators said.

The lawmakers urged the state APC leadership and the National Working Committee to set up a high-level reconciliation committee. They said, “We call upon the State APC Executive, in concert with the National Working Committee, to constitute a high-level Reconciliation Committee with a clear 30-day mandate to reintegrate aggrieved and marginalised members.”

They also asked the party to look again at the screening and primary results that affected experienced lawmakers and other candidates. “The appropriate organs of the party must revisit the disqualification of experienced incumbents across the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly, with due regard to proven capacity and demonstrated service,” the senators stated.

Beyond the internal issues, the senators shared their worries about increasing insecurity in parts of the state. They said that rural banditry and kidnappings are threatening farming activities and driving up food prices. “Deteriorating security remains a major concern. Rural banditry and kidnapping continue to undermine our agrarian economy and aggravate food inflation, demanding urgent and coordinated response,” they said.

The senators also suggested that the party should review its structures across the state’s 193 wards and 16 local government areas. This would help strengthen grassroots support and restore discipline within the party. “A comprehensive audit must be undertaken across Kwara’s 193 wards and 16 local government areas to rebuild grassroots vitality, restore discipline, and shield our youth from vulnerability to criminal recruitment,” the communiqué added.

Reiterating their commitment to good governance, the lawmakers emphasized the need for unity as the APC prepares for future elections. “This is a moment that calls for patriotism above factionalism, and the party above self. Kwara APC must emerge from this period stronger, broader, and more united,” they said.

The senators promised to support any reconciliation effort that can maintain the party’s integrity and protect its chances in upcoming elections in the state.

This call for action comes amid a growing crisis in the Kwara APC after the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections. The trouble started during the screening of State House of Assembly candidates. More than 100 aspirants were disqualified, leading to protests and claims of unfair candidate selection. After pressure from unhappy members, the party reversed its decision and allowed all 159 legislative aspirants to participate in the primaries.

The crisis expanded to the governorship race when Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, won the APC governorship primary on May 22, 2026. He defeated 14 other aspirants.

But a group of governorship aspirants calling themselves the G10 rejected the result. They claimed there were irregularities and questioned Danladi-Salihu’s legitimacy as a candidate.

The Kwara APC Elders’ Caucus echoed this opposition, saying that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq influenced the primary. They warned that ongoing dissatisfaction could hurt the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.