From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara State, has entered a defining moment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with two contrasting mass rallies held within days in Ilorin exposing widening cracks within the ruling party even as its leadership insists unity remains intact.
While one faction of party elders, serving senators and governorship aspirants staged a peaceful protest against the outcome of the party’s primary elections, another group mobilised thousands of supporters in a “Thank You” rally to celebrate the primaries, reaffirm loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the party’s candidates.
The twin events, which drew huge crowds to the streets of Ilorin, highlighted the competing narratives within the Kwara APC — one demanding transparency and inclusiveness in party affairs, the other projecting confidence that the party remains united and firmly on course for another electoral victory.
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The first rally was led by the Chairman of the Kwara APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Ayeni, alongside governorship aspirants and other stakeholders who marched through major streets of Ilorin to register what they described as dissatisfaction with the process that produced the party’s candidates.
Among those who addressed supporters were Senators Salihu Mustapha, Oyelola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar, all representing the state’s three senatorial districts.
Senator Mustapha said the demonstration was not directed against any individual but against what he described as the manner in which the party leadership handled the emergence of the governorship candidate.
“This rally has been spontaneous by major stakeholders. Card-carrying members of APC participated because we are not happy with the kind of leadership that has bedevilled us for some time in terms of the party structure,” he said.
“We are using this protest to register our rejection of whatever processes and the way and manner the so-called leadership in the state has endorsed a particular governorship candidate. We are not saying we don’t like anybody. We are all stakeholders, and if there must be equity and fairness, everyone should have a sense of belonging.”
Mustapha stressed that the protest was a collective decision aimed at protecting the future of the APC in Kwara rather than advancing personal ambitions.
Echoing similar concerns, Senator Ashiru, warned that unresolved internal disputes could weaken the party’s chances in the next elections despite its current dominance in the state.
“We are here mainly because we want to protect the legacy of our President. He has done so much for Kwara State. But if we are not careful, the curtains might be drawn on APC in the state,” he warned.
“The party has become our DNA and that is why we are calling on President Tinubu to listen to our reasonable voice.”
Former Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, also a governorship aspirant, alleged that the processes leading to the emergence of candidates for various elective offices lacked transparency.
“What we want is inclusiveness and a situation where every stakeholder is carried along. We have a leadership that does not carry anybody along in governance and party structure. That is why we all came together to rescue our party.”
Another governorship aspirant, Alhaji Abdulfatai Gambari, appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene, saying the APC in Kwara remained one family despite the disagreements.
Barely a day later, the atmosphere changed dramatically as thousands of APC supporters flooded Ilorin in what organisers tagged the “Kwara Ndupe Rally.”
The procession, stretching across major roads in the state capital, featured party leaders, candidates and supporters carrying banners in appreciation of the successful conduct of the primaries and expressing support for President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, APC governorship candidate Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu and other candidates.
Addressing supporters, Majority Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Oba Magaji Abdulkadri, described the turnout as proof that the APC remained strong despite recent disagreements.
“We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood,” he said.
“The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. We are not afraid of the opposition. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state.”
Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, urged party members to convert the momentum generated by the rally into grassroots mobilisation.
“This rally must translate to PVC collection, voter registration and polling-unit victory in 2027. There must not be complacency,” he said.
“We will campaign on our record, not insults, because our party has roads, schools, hospitals and regular salary payments to show Kwarans.”
The State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, expressed confidence that the party would retain power in the state, while appealing to aggrieved members to allow internal reconciliation mechanisms to address their concerns.
“We have seen the massive turnout today. It shows our candidates are accepted, and more people are still joining the APC,” he said through the Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari.
Kwara State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Alhaji Abdulateef Alakawa, also insisted that the APC remained united despite disagreements arising from the primaries.
The governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, later led party leaders and candidates to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, where they sought royal blessings ahead of the 2027 elections.
Receiving the delegation, the Emir commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what he described as visible developmental achievements and publicly endorsed the party’s candidates.
Reacting to concerns raised by dissatisfied stakeholders, Danladi acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable in politics but assured party members that reconciliation efforts were already underway.
“The reconciliation committee has been set up, and I know it will do justice to all issues. Peace will continue to reign in APC and Kwara.”
He added that the massive public support witnessed during the rallies reflected confidence in the APC administration.
The contrasting rallies have underscored the dual reality confronting the Kwara APC. On one hand, influential party leaders are demanding greater transparency, inclusiveness and internal democracy. On the other, the party leadership maintains that reconciliation efforts are progressing while projecting confidence that the APC remains the dominant political force in the state.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, how effectively the party reconciles these competing interests may ultimately determine whether it preserves its political dominance in Kwara or hands its opponents an opportunity to capitalise on internal divisions.
