• Abdulrasheed Akogun, an APC aspirant for the Share/Oke-Ode State Constituency seat, says the large number of party aspirants reflects APC’s growing popularity in Kwara State
• Akogun attributed the APC’s growing appeal to the leadership and governance style of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
• He claimed the opposition in Kwara State has lost political relevance

A governorship hopeful for the Share/Oke-Ode State Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Abdulrasheed Akogun, has declared that the large number of aspirants contesting for the party’s tickets ahead of the 2027 elections reflects the growing strength and popularity of the APC in the state.

Akogun made the remarks on Monday, May 11, shortly after taking part in the party’s screening exercise for House of Assembly aspirants in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He praised the screening committee for what he described as a transparent and credible process, saying the exercise was conducted smoothly without controversy.

“The screening exercise went seamlessly and smoothly. It was, to a large extent, free, fair and credible,” he stated.

The APC aspirant explained that the increasing number of politicians seeking elective positions under the APC platform shows the confidence many stakeholders have in the ruling party’s leadership in Kwara State.

According to him, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has strengthened the party’s position through what he described as impactful governance and purposeful leadership.

“That is a clear pointer to the worthy and purposeful leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has, with his scintillating performance, endeared the party to the generality of Kwarans and made the platform attractive,” Akogun said.

He further revealed that about 158 aspirants are contesting for APC tickets across the 24 state constituencies in Kwara ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Therefore, that accounts for the high number of House of Assembly aspirants, where we have 158 aspirants bidding to fly the flag of the party in the 24 state constituencies available,” he added.

Akogun, who previously served as Director of Media and Publicity for the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Campaign Organisation during the 2019 governorship election, also expressed confidence that the APC would maintain its dominance in the state during the next general election.

“The opposition is dead in Kwara State. Whoever gets the ticket of the party is already 80 per cent completed,” he declared.

Speaking on his ambition to represent the Share/Oke-Ode constituency, Akogun said his years of grassroots political engagement and service within the constituency have strengthened his chances of securing the party’s ticket.

He expressed optimism that party leaders, stakeholders, and members would support his candidacy ahead of the general election.

“No anointed successor,” AbdulRazaq says 2027 Kwara governorship race will be open

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had dismissed claims that he plans to endorse or anoint a successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that the All Progressives Congress will adopt an open and merit-based primary process.

Speaking during the party’s state congress in Ilorin, the governor addressed rumours suggesting he intended to favour a candidate from the Kwara North Senatorial District.

AbdulRazaq emphasised that competence and party procedures would determine the eventual candidate rather than any zoning arrangement.