By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—A Kwara-based governance advocate, Yunusa AbdulRazaq, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to carefully consider its 2027 electoral strategy, warning that sidelining Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar could have political consequences for the party.

In a statement on Tuesday, AbdulRazaq said discussions around the APC’s zoning and candidate arrangements in Kwara State should reflect both party strategy and electoral realities.

He noted that Senator Umar had initially pursued the governorship ambition but was persuaded by party stakeholders to step down in favour of broader party considerations.

According to him, Umar later contested and won the APC senatorial ticket for Kwara North through a competitive primary election involving multiple aspirants.

AbdulRazaq said the senator’s emergence reflected his acceptance within the party and across Kwara North, rather than being the result of automatic allocation or zoning arrangements.

He added that while internal party decisions often involve balancing regional interests, such considerations should be weighed alongside electoral strength and grassroots support.

The advocate further stated that Senator Umar has built a support base that extends beyond his immediate constituency, making him a significant figure in the state’s political landscape.

He cautioned that excluding the senator from the APC’s broader 2027 calculations could create political dissatisfaction among his supporters.

AbdulRazaq, however, described Umar as a loyal party member who has consistently respected party decisions and prioritised unity.

He said any concerns arising from the senator’s exclusion may not come from the lawmaker himself but from his supporters across the state.

The advocate urged APC leaders to strike a balance between zoning arrangements and electoral viability as they prepare for the 2027 general elections.