Salihu Danladi emerges APC governorship candidate in Kwara State
Salihu Danladi emerges APC governorship candidate in Kwara State
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Danladi, has been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, securing the party’s ticket for the 2027 race.
The results, announced on Friday by the chairman of the election committee, Musiliu Obanikoro, saw the Speaker poll a total of 94,990 votes. He comfortably defeated his closest rival, Abdulfatai Seriki, who garnered 41,700 votes. Former Kwara APC chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa, followed in third place with 22,118 votes
Other notable aspirants in the crowded field included Femi Sanni (5,990 votes), former Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (3,910 votes), and Dele Belgore (3,411 votes).
The primary followed a period of intense political maneuvering within the ruling party. Earlier this week, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had publicly endorsed Mr. Seriki-Gambari as his preferred successor, describing him as a “pro-people” candidate essential for maintaining party unity.
However, sources within the party indicate that the governor shifted his support to Mr. Danladi-Salihu following high-level consultations involving the presidency. Insiders suggest the strategic pivot was driven by political calculations aimed at consolidating support across the state, with the APC leadership now favoring a candidate from the Kwara North Senatorial District.
The path to Friday’s primary was marked by significant friction. The buildup saw at least 16 aspirants purchase nomination forms, with many boycotting a strategic meeting convened by the Governor amid fears of a forced consensus candidate.
The tension boiled over on Thursday when suspected supporters of Mr. Seriki-Gambari besieged the APC secretariat in Ilorin. The protest, characterized by chants of “No Seriki-Gambari, no vote,” caused widespread panic among delegates and officials, forcing the party to postpone the election from Thursday to Friday.
Security operatives were deployed to restore order, and Mr. Obanikoro subsequently pledged that the rescheduled process would be conducted with transparency and in accordance with national directives.
Mr. Danladi-Salihu, who currently represents the Ilesha/Gwanara constituency, hails from Baruten Local Government Area. His emergence as the APC flagbearer sets the stage for a high-stakes contest in 2027
