By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Elders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara North have urged the party to zone its 2027 governorship ticket to the district, citing the need for justice, equity and inclusiveness in the state’s political structure.

The call was made at a press conference attended by party leaders and stakeholders from the five local government areas of the zone, alongside four governorship aspirants.

Those present included the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Salihu Yakubu Danladi; Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar; Alhaji Tajudeen Audu; and Hon. Umar Bio.

Speaking on behalf of the group, former Speaker and Minister, Pharmacist Bio Ibrahim, said the demand was rooted in fairness and the need to address longstanding political imbalance in the state.

“Our position is unequivocal. Kwarans, irrespective of senatorial zones, gender, religion or age, must support the call against the politics of exclusion,” he said.

According to him, since the return to democracy in 1999, Kwara Central would have held the governorship for about 20 years by 2027, when incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq completes his tenure, while Kwara South, under former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, held the office for eight years.

He noted that Kwara North has yet to produce a governor in nearly three decades, describing the situation as an imbalance that should be corrected.

“In some climes, leadership rotates among the three senatorial districts. For Kwara State to remain stable and just, each district must be given a fair opportunity,” he said.

The stakeholders therefore called on the APC leadership to zone the governorship ticket to Kwara North in 2027, arguing that such a move would strengthen unity and foster inclusive governance.

“This is not a sentimental demand but a compelling case based on fairness and democratic balance. Giving Kwara North the opportunity to lead will deepen trust across the state,” he added.

The group also maintained that the district has competent individuals with the experience and capacity to govern effectively.

They dismissed concerns that the emergence of a candidate from the zone could trigger disunity, insisting that the stakeholders remain united in their quest for equitable representation.