2027: APC, Kwara North and the Imperative of Equity in Governance

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By Shittu Obassa.

(C) Google.
Kwara North Senatorial District’s long-standing marginalization and the perceived dominance of the Central Senatorial Zone in the choice of governorship candidates for the ruling party has remained the crux of political conversations in Kwara State.
‎The feeling of exclusion among the people of Kwara North is fuelling renewed calls for strict adherence to the principle of power rotation among the state’s three senatorial districts, in the interest of equity, fairness, and even spread of development across the state.
‎At issue is the growing demand for a power shift from the Central Zone to the North, which, according to stakeholders, is still bereft of concrete and impactful progress in key indices of development.
‎They are making a strong appeal that the next governor should emerge from Kwara North in 2027. The northern axis—stretching from Kaiama and Baruten to Edu, Moro and Patigi—has become the focal point of this agitation.
‎Prominent political actors, community leaders and party stakeholders are working assiduously to direct this appeal for magnanimity primarily at the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state. This is because it will ultimately determine the direction of its ticket either through consensus or direct primaries.
‎It is their unanimous position that Kwara North has not produced a governor in the last 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the state. The growing agitation among stakeholders in this axis is therefore anchored on the demand that power should shift at this time to their zone, to redress the long-standing imbalance in political power and leadership representation. This, they argue, aligns with Kwara North’s electoral behaviour, which has consistently demonstrated bloc voting for the ruling party over the years, and also reflects broader national practices where zoning is often adopted to maintain harmony in diverse polities.
‎To refresh memory, Kwara State, created in 1967, comprises three senatorial districts—Kwara Central, Kwara South and Kwara North—each with distinct demographic and political characteristics. The argument for power shift to Kwara North stems from the apparent reality that the governorship position has largely remained within Kwara Central Senatorial District over the years, based on available records.
‎The administrations of retired Rear Admiral Mohammed Alabi Lawal (1999–2003), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (2003–2011), and the incumbent, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (2019 to date), underscore this pattern. Kwara South only had its turn between 2011 and 2019 with Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed as governor.
‎Contributing to the ongoing debate, an indigene of Kwara Central Senatorial District and APC stalwart, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Oniyangi, noted that no prominent indigene of Kwara North has been given the opportunity to occupy the coveted seat since the dawn of democracy in 1999.
‎He argued that it would be divisive and politically unhealthy for Kwara South to simultaneously hold both the governorship and other key party positions, stressing that zoning arrangements, as practised from the federal to subnational levels, should be replicated within the Kwara APC structure.
‎According to him, such an arrangement would give every part of the state a genuine sense of belonging and justify the idea of selecting the ruling party’s governorship candidate from the North in the next election cycle.
‎Oniyangi recalled that Kwara North Senatorial Zone only had a brief stint at the helm of the state during the Third Republic when Alhaji Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi served as governor between 1992 and November 17, 1993, before the military takeover.
‎Sincerely, by the end of the current administration in 2027, the imbalance will become even more pronounced, as Kwara Central would have occupied the governorship seat for nearly two decades compared to Kwara North’s barely one-year tenure in democratic history.
‎The forum of traditional rulers in the zone, led by the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim Bologi II, has also lent its voice to the call for power shift. In an open letter to the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the forum stressed that the glaring disparity must be urgently addressed to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, stability and balanced development across the state’s senatorial districts.
‎The forum, comprising nine traditional rulers from the five local government areas in the North, expressed confidence that there is no dissenting opinion within the zone regarding its quest to take its rightful turn in the governorship contest and possibly win.
‎Indeed, proponents of power shift to Kwara North firmly believe that equitable allocation of resources is best achieved when every senatorial district periodically takes its turn at Government House, Ilorin, as both a moral obligation and political necessity. In a diverse state like Kwara, they argue, perceived exclusion can be mitigated when leadership roles are fairly distributed among all segments. Today, they insist, no ethnic group lacks capable and qualified sons and daughters to govern when given the opportunity with full party support. This, they maintain, remains the most realistic path to sustaining unity in a state often described as the “State of Harmony.”
‎Without fear of contradiction, Kwara North has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the APC through bloc voting in successive elections. From the 2015 election that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power, through his re-election in 2019, and up to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in 2023, the zone has remained a reliable support base for the party.
‎The same pattern is evident in governorship elections. Even in 2023, when an opposition candidate, Razaq Atunwa, hailed from Kwara North, the zone still delivered significant votes to the APC candidate and incumbent governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, from Kwara Central.
‎In view of this, stakeholders argue that 2027 presents a historic opportunity to reward Kwara North’s loyalty to the APC. They insist that the zone remains the most marginalised among the three senatorial districts and deserves serious consideration to take its turn in governing the state.
‎Kwara North is now appealing to the ruling party and stakeholders to support its eminent sons in emerging as the governorship flag bearer in 2027. Among those mentioned are the Makama of Lafiagi, Alhaji Tajudeen Abdulkadir Audu; the current Senator representing Kwara North, Senator Sadiq Suleiman; and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi.
‎Unequivocally, the party’s most reliable support base in the state has always been Kwara North.
‎The Makama of Lafiagi, an astute administrator, accomplished tax reform expert and prolific writer, is widely respected for his intellectual and professional contributions. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), with over three decades of experience in audit, financial consulting, and public sector reform.
‎He is the Founder and Chairman of TAC Group Ltd and CEO of TGS Taju Audu & Co., and has played key roles in national assignments including NEITI audits, oil and gas sector reforms, and revenue optimisation initiatives. His expertise has been sought by institutions such as EFCC, INEC, NNPC, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
‎Beyond professional excellence, he holds the traditional title of Makama of Lafiagi Emirate and has remained active in community and political development. He is married with children and grandchildren.
‎His supporters believe he represents a blend of competence, experience and political maturity capable of consolidating APC’s strength in Kwara State.
‎To all intents and purposes, he is seeking the support of APC stakeholders to emerge as the party’s governorship flag bearer in 2027, anchored on loyalty, competence and grassroots acceptance.
‎Advocates insist that zoning the governorship to Kwara North would not only correct historical imbalance but also strengthen the reciprocal relationship between the party and its largest support base.
‎By way of reference, APC is already reported to have endorsed Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) of Ogun West as consensus candidate for 2027 in his state, reinforcing the argument for equity in political representation.
‎Similar precedents exist in Niger and Nasarawa States, where informal zoning arrangements have helped maintain stability, inclusion and political balance across different regions.
‎In Kwara, proponents argue that adopting a similar model would be both strategic and stabilising for the APC.
‎Time, they say, has come to call a spade a spade, warning that continued exclusion of Kwara North may alienate a critical support base. Political history, especially the 2019 “Otoge” movement, serves as a reminder that public sentiment can reshape entrenched political structures when grievances persist.
‎The role of leadership will therefore be crucial. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as party leader in the state, is expected to play a key role in shaping the APC’s direction, even though he has not publicly declared his position on zoning.
‎At the national level, attention is also focused on ensuring consistency in applying principles of inclusion and balance across party structures.
‎There is also a developmental argument: despite its vast landmass and agricultural potential, Kwara North continues to lag in infrastructure, healthcare and investment. Advocates believe that producing the next governor could accelerate development in the region while maintaining a unified governance structure.
‎Zoning, however, is not seen as a rejection of merit. Rather, it is a transitional mechanism designed to balance competence with fairness, ensuring that no part of the state feels permanently excluded.
‎As 2027 approaches, the APC in Kwara State faces a critical test of internal cohesion, equity, and political foresight.
‎Ultimately, the debate transcends party politics. It speaks to the broader issue of power sharing in a diverse society and how political arrangements can promote unity, stability and belonging.
‎After decades of consistent support, Kwara North believes the time has come for its well-deserved opportunity to lead. Whether that expectation is met will depend on political will and strategic decision-making.
‎What remains certain is that the outcome will significantly shape not only the fortunes of the APC but also the future of governance and political harmony in Kwara State.
‎Succinctly put, equity sustains unity while loyalty deserves reward. When power rotates fairly among stakeholders, the state stands to gain greater stability and prosperity.

Obassa is an Abuja -based Media consultant & Public Affairs Analyst.
Shittuobassa@gmail.com
GSM:09158873603.