By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

The Kwara State Elders of the All Progressives Congress on Monday expressed support for the party’s governorship candidate, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

At a well-attended press conference in Ilorin, the state capital, the elders also expressed confidence that the candidate enjoys broad support across the state, particularly among young people, while assuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.

The forum’s position came in response to an earlier press conference by another APC Elders Caucus group led by Chief James Bamisaiye, which had criticised the emergence of Danladi-Salihu as the party’s governorship candidate.

The group had warned of possible electoral risks if internal disagreements were not addressed.

However, the APC elders who spoke on Monday dismissed the opposing caucus, describing them as not representing the authentic structure of the party in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda Ambassadors, Hon. AbdulLateef Gidado Alakawa, said the earlier claims were inaccurate and did not reflect the reality of the party’s processes.

He said the party conducted its governorship primary in a peaceful atmosphere, adding that the exercise was supervised by a committee from the national leadership of the party.

According to him, the result was announced at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, where Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu emerged as winner with a wide margin over other aspirants.

Alakawa stated that no formal complaint was raised by other aspirants after the exercise, adding that the candidate had since extended gestures of reconciliation to fellow contestants.

He further noted that Danladi-Salihu had engaged various stakeholders across the state, including traditional rulers, as part of consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Describing the candidate’s profile, he said Danladi-Salihu is an engineer with years of political experience and currently serves in a key leadership position in the state government.

He also emphasized that the governorship primary was open and competitive, and that the outcome reflected broad support across the state’s three senatorial districts.

Alakawa dismissed allegations of imposition, stating that the state governor allowed a free and fair contest without interference in the process.

He added that the outcome of the primary was accepted by party stakeholders and supervised by the party’s national officials.

The group urged all party members to focus on unity and support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

They also called on stakeholders to rally behind the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and ensure continuity of governance achievements in the state.

Reaffirming confidence in the party’s prospects, the elders expressed optimism that Kwara State would remain under the control of the All Progressives Congress in 2027.

They also assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the party’s commitment to delivering electoral success in the state.

The press briefing was attended by other party stakeholders, including representatives of the Kwara Central APC Elders Caucus and other party leaders.