By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Governorship aspirants and members of the Elders caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have expressed concern over what they described as attempts to involve traditional rulers in internal party matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They said they were worried about reports suggesting plans to mobilise traditional rulers for a visit to President Bola Tinubu in support of a preferred governorship aspirant within the party.

The group made the remarks during a meeting with the national leadership of the APC held in Abuja on Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18.

The aspirants also dismissed claims suggesting that they had agreed on a preferred candidate among themselves, clarifying that such an arrangement had not been reached and that the party’s nomination process had not been concluded.

They further emphasised that no governorship primary election had been conducted in Kwara State to produce a candidate, and that the party had not officially announced any consensus arrangement.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the chairman of the Kwara APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Bamisaye Ayeni, urged caution against involving traditional rulers in partisan politics, stressing that they remain custodians of culture who should not be drawn into party competition.

He said traditional institutions have historically maintained neutrality in political contests in the state and should continue to do so.

The group also referenced past election cycles, noting that traditional rulers were not involved in the nomination or emergence of party candidates, and appealed for that precedent to be maintained.

They urged stakeholders to avoid actions that could be interpreted as politicising the traditional institution, calling for restraint and respect for established roles in the political process.

The meeting was attended by several APC governorship aspirants, including Hon. Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa; Sen. Salihu Mustapha; Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; Alh. Tajudeen Abdulkadir Audu; Dr. Toyin Tajudeen Alabi; Rt. Hon. Mohammed Bio Omar; Dr. Muyideen Salako; Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN); Amb. Abdulfatai Yahya Seriki; and Capt. Ahmad Mahmud.