AbdulRazaq Seeks Royal Endorsement for Kwara APC Governorship Pick

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has formally introduced the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. This presentation marks Danladi-Salihu as the party's flagbearer for the upcoming 2027 gubernatorial election.

The significant event took place during a courtesy visit by Governor AbdulRazaq and Danladi-Salihu to the Emir’s palace in Ilorin. The visit occurred shortly after the revered monarch announced the appointment of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki Imam Fulani as the 13th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate. Details of this high-profile visit were subsequently shared on Saturday via the official Facebook page of the Kwara State Government.

During their audience, Governor AbdulRazaq extended his felicitations to the Emir regarding Sheikh Dasuki’s new role as Chief Imam. He offered prayers for divine guidance for the newly appointed Islamic cleric, emphasizing the importance of this development for both the Ilorin Emirate and the wider Muslim community. "May Allah guide and protect him, perfect His blessings upon him, and grant him long life and good health in the service of the Ummah," AbdulRazaq stated.

Following this, the Governor proceeded to formally present Danladi-Salihu to the Emir as the APC’s chosen governorship candidate, requesting the monarch’s royal blessings for his bid in the 2027 polls. It was reported that the Emir offered prayers for the candidate and expressed his wishes for success in the forthcoming election.

This development unfolds amidst escalating political friction within the ruling APC in Kwara State, particularly concerning Danladi-Salihu’s emergence as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. Political analysts view this visit to the palace as a calculated move aimed at securing traditional endorsement and bolstering grassroots acceptance in preparation for the election.

Notably, the Governor’s visit came merely 24 hours after a coalition of ten APC governorship aspirants submitted a petition to President Bola Tinubu. Their petition highlighted a deepening internal crisis within the party in the state and issued a cautionary note that the APC risks weakening its electoral foundation if prompt intervention is not initiated ahead of the 2027 elections.