- Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has denied anointing any successor, insisting on an open All Progressives Congress primary
- He disclosed that six governorship aspirants, including a state House of Assembly member, have expressed interest in the 2027 race
- AbdulRazaq stressed merit, competence, and party processes over zoning arrangements
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has 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.
“For those who will contest and whoever eventually emerges, it is not about anyone anointing anybody.
“We are not here to build a dynasty; we are here to build a legacy. Whoever succeeds me will build on this foundation and strive to do better,” he said.
AbdulRazaq emphasised that competence and party procedures would determine the eventual candidate rather than any zoning arrangement. “We have raised the bar in Kwara State, and our successor will take it even further,” he added.
The governor revealed that six governorship aspirants, including a member of the state House of Assembly, have expressed interest in the race, describing the competition as challenging but beneficial for internal democracy.
“When I speak of healthy competition, I mean it will be tough. Even from within our state House of Assembly, we have six governorship aspirants altogether. Moving forward, it will indeed be a healthy contest,” he stated.
AbdulRazaq urged aspirants and party stakeholders to prioritise unity before and after the primaries, noting that the eventual winner should carry others along.
“It will be healthy competition among those who aspire to succeed, and I urge whoever emerges victorious to carry along those who do not succeed in order to foster unity as one family,” he said.
He also praised party members for sustaining unity and described the peaceful congress as evidence of cohesion within the APC.
“As you can see, the opposition has collapsed nationally, especially in Kwara State,” he remarked, referencing defections from the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress to the APC.
The governor highlighted achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, arguing that the state has undergone significant transformation in the past six years.
“What will the opposition campaign on infrastructure, education, or healthcare? We have championed social development programmes across all these sectors,” he said.
He further credited the leadership of Bola Tinubu for boosting confidence in the APC and improving national economic indicators.