The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Kwara State ahead of the 2027 election.
Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Musiliu Obanikoro, announced the result in Ilorin on Friday after the conclusion of the primary across the state. He said Danladi-Salihu polled more than 94,000 votes to defeat other aspirants.
The outcome followed days of negotiations and shifting alliances within the Kwara APC. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had earlier endorsed businessman Abdulfatai Seriki-Gambari as his preferred successor in a statement on May 19, describing him as a young and pro-people politician.
Tension rose within the party after disagreements emerged among aspirants and stakeholders over the succession plan. Sixteen aspirants had purchased nomination forms, while several boycotted a meeting convened by the governor over concerns of an imposed consensus candidate.
Party sources said AbdulRazaq later switched support to Danladi-Salihu after consultations within the party and with the presidency. One source said the decision was linked to political calculations, including a preference for the ticket to go to Kwara North.
Tensions escalated on Thursday when suspected thugs believed to be loyal to Seriki-Gambari reportedly gathered at the APC secretariat in Ilorin during preparations for the primary. Witnesses said the group chanted “No Seriki-Gambari, no vote,” causing disruption before security operatives intervened. The primary was then postponed from Thursday to Friday.
Obanikoro assured members that the exercise was conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner in line with the APC national leadership’s directives.
Danladi-Salihu represents Ilesha/Gwanara constituency and hails from Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara North Senatorial District. His emergence sets the stage for the 2027 contest as the Peoples Democratic Party, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, seeks to regain the state.
