From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Conglomerate of Kwara State Christian Communities, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider a Christian aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.
The Convener of the group, Rev. Felix Ajide, made the appeal while addressing members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ilorin, KWara State.
He said the request was anchored on the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in the state’s political arrangement.
Ajide noted that the Christian community remained committed to peaceful coexistence with Muslims and would continue to support any democratic process that produces competent, credible and people-centred leadership.
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He, however, stressed that the group’s position was not an attempt to promote religious politics but a call for political balance that reflects the diversity of the state while placing competence and capacity above religious considerations.
According to him, Kwara’s political future should be shaped by leaders with the experience, vision and broad acceptability required to drive sustainable development.
“Our appeal is not about religion replacing competence. Rather, it is about ensuring that competent individuals are given equal opportunities to emerge within an inclusive political framework,” he said.
The group cited findings from the Africa Polling Institute (API), which it said indicated that Kwarans were more inclined to support candidates based on competence than religious affiliation.
According to the group, the survey showed that 90 per cent of Muslim respondents expressed willingness to support a competent Christian candidate, while 98 per cent of Christian respondents said they would support a competent Muslim candidate. It added that 93 per cent of all respondents were willing to vote for a qualified candidate regardless of religious background.
The Christian body argued that the findings underscored Kwara’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony and demonstrated that voters were more interested in leadership qualities than religious identity.
It also pointed out that the APC has several Christian politicians with the experience and capacity to govern the state, mentioning Engr. Femi Sanni, popularly known as Araba, and Dr. Toyin Alabi, as examples of individuals with the credentials to contest for the governorship.
The group maintained that giving due consideration to a Christian aspirant in the party’s selection process would promote inclusiveness, strengthen unity and foster a greater sense of belonging among all segments of the state’s population.
It therefore appealed to President Tinubu, as the leader of the APC, to consider the aspirations of the Christian community when decisions are taken on the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Kwara State.
