AbdulRazaq Urges Kwara APC Executives to Ensure Fair Primaries for All Aspirants

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday asked the newly inaugurated executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to keep the coming party primaries open and fair to all aspirants.

Speaking in Ilorin during the swearing-in of the state executives, AbdulRazaq congratulated the officials on their emergence and said the responsibility before them will increase as the 2027 political cycle approaches. He said the party leadership should not treat any aspirant as an opponent because each contender believes he or she has ideas to move the state forward.

According to the governor, internal pressure is expected in the months ahead because many members are preparing to contest different offices. He said this is exactly why the executives must be disciplined in handling interests across the party.

“Once again, I say, congratulations to you all. You have done well and that’s why there was a consensus to support you to continue,” AbdulRazaq said.

He added: “Your work is cut out for you. In the next few months, you will face a lot of pressure from party members because the primaries are coming and people have various interest.”

AbdulRazaq further said party officials should allow aspirants to compete without bias. “Each person who wants to contest has his or her own plans for the state. That is why they are contesting and don’t as party leaders see any of the aspirants as antagonists or enemies,” he said.

He also told the executives to work closely with the party chairman and maintain unity within the structure. “I want you to rally round the Chairman because your support will make him succeed. If the Chairman fails, you all fail. Therefore, I wish you all the best,” he said.

State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said the executive would be fair in its dealings. “We have committed ourselves to do right to all manners of people, not to some people,” he said.

Fagbemi said the party already controls major elective positions in the state, including local government chairmanship and councillorship seats, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, National Assembly seats, and the offices of governor and deputy governor. He said the next target is to widen the party’s victory margin and consolidate support before future elections.

He added that, in his view, the APC in the state has not recorded losses in membership, and that some people who opposed the party in the last election have now joined it.

Chairman of the Congress Committee, Alibe Alkali, congratulated the new executive members and said their emergence followed the party constitution. The oath-taking was administered by Chief Titus Ashaolu, SAN.