INEC Confirms Twelve Contenders for Kwara 2027 Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented the list of twelve gubernatorial candidates along with their respective running mates for the upcoming 2027 Kwara State governorship election. This announcement, made on Saturday at the commission's Ilorin office in the state capital, formally kicks off the political race and sets the groundwork for the general elections, featuring aspirants from diverse political organisations.

Among those confirmed by INEC is Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the current Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, who will represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its governorship candidate. His running mate has been named as Bello Mubarak Salau. Danladi-Salihu secured the APC's gubernatorial ticket after winning the party's primary election in May, an exercise that was presided over by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bolakale Kawu has been put forward as the governorship hopeful, partnered with Fawenu Corlenius as his deputy. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also unveiled its candidates: Apaokagi Salahudeen as the governorship candidate and Kolawole Thawphic as his running mate. Notably, Apaokagi, who previously vied for the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, is part of the opposition aiming to challenge the incumbent APC in the 2027 polls.

Other political parties that have presented candidates for the upcoming election include the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Accord Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Movement (APM), National Democratic Party (NDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). This formal release of candidates signifies a crucial progression towards the 2027 gubernatorial contest, prompting political organisations to ramp up their election preparations.

Below is the comprehensive list of the governorship candidates and their running mates for the Kwara 2027 election, as released by INEC:

* **All Progressives Congress (APC):** Yakubu Danladi-Salihu (Governorship) — Bello Mubarak Salau (Running Mate)

* **Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):** Bolakale Kawu (Governorship) — Fawenu Corlenius (Running Mate)

* **Social Democratic Party (SDP):** Apaokagi Salahudeen (Governorship) — Kolawole Thawphic (Running Mate)

* **Action Democratic Party (ADP):** Adeshina Ajisafe (Governorship) — Suleiman Jubri (Running Mate)

* **Accord Party:** Seko Jubril Gure (Governorship) — Michael Jolayemi (Running Mate)

* **Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC):** Yinka Ajia (Governorship) — Olayide Olawuyi (Running Mate)

* **Action Peoples Party (APP):** Omotoso Bamidele Olaitan (Governorship) — Aremu Toyin Wahab (Running Mate)

* **Action Alliance (AA):** Kolo Ezekiel (Governorship) — Olanipekun Ismail Olabode (Running Mate)

* **Action Peoples Movement (APM):** Oluwole Tolu (Governorship) — Jaiyeola Motunrayo (Running Mate)

* **National Democratic Party (NDP):** Decean Shola Victor Abioye (Governorship) — Issa Salihu (Running Mate)

* **All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA):** Sule Ajayi (Governorship) — Afolabi Moses Folorunsho (Running Mate)

* **New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP):** Lamidi Isiaka Akanni (Governorship) — Grace Abosede Ogundele (Running Mate)