By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin

The Kwara Integrity Movement (KIM) has opposed the growing agitation for zoning the 2027 governorship seat, noting that the state has no history or political culture of rotational governorship and therefore must not adopt it ahead of the next election cycle.

Recall the agitations by aspirants, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Kwara North that the gubernatorial seat should be ceded to the region on the basis of equity justice and fairness has been loud lately.

But addressing journalists at a press conference in Ilorin, Chairman KIM, Hon. Oniwara Ibrahim Babatunde, said zoning is a “false narrative” being pushed by political actors seeking shortcuts to power and not a genuine demand of the people.

According to him,”2027 governorship contest must remain open, competitive, and free of what he described as “primordial politics that reduces leadership to birthplace rather than competence,” he said.

Oniwara posited that historical records show that all three senatorial districts have consistently contested the state’s top job since 1999.

Listing the candidates from previous election cycles across zones, he stressed that governorship contests have always been open, with no election conducted on the basis of rotational agreements.

“This record is unambiguous: Kwara has never practised zoning, not once. Our governorship has always been open to all parts of the state. It is not in our political DNA, and it should not be imposed artificially on Kwarans now,” he said.

KIM also questioned the motivation of groups pushing for zoning, insisting that leadership must be earned through capacity, vision, and character not through what it termed entitlement politics.

“The agitation raises fundamental questions: For whom is the zoning agitation being championed? Is it for the people of Kwara North or for the personal ambition of a few?” Oniwara queried.

He maintained that the 2027 transition should focus on competence and good governance, not geography.

The group also raised alarm over what it called the “creeping politicisation” of traditional institutions, expressing concern about reports of monarchs being drawn into lobbying and political advocacy.

“Our highly revered Obas and Emirs traveling across the state for political lobby should be avoided. Today, it is traditional rulers; tomorrow, religious leaders and civil servants may follow,” KIM warned, calling for strict neutrality of such institutions.

The movement outlined its demands for the next gubernatorial election cycle, including an open governorship contest., merit-based leadership selection, a  competent governor for all Kwarans, not a sectional leader and protection of democratic principles against artificial political boundaries.

“Kwara’s future is too important to be reduced to zoning politics,” the statement concluded. “We must encourage every qualified, credible, and visionary Kwaran North, South, or Central to step forward. Kwara comes first, always, ”  he says.