Kwara APC: Guber Aspirant Defies Crisis, Vows 2027 Victory

Renowned neurosurgeon and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Kwara State, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, has moved to allay fears that internal grievances stemming from the party’s recent governorship primary could undermine its prospects in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Sulaiman firmly stated that the APC remains the dominant political force in Kwara, attributing this strength to its commendable performance in governance. He expressed confidence that despite ongoing agitations from a faction known as the G-15, members of the ruling party would ultimately coalesce their efforts in anticipation of the crucial elections.

Prof. Sulaiman lamented that the current discord within the APC appears to be fueled more by individual political aspirations rather than a genuine commitment to democratic principles or the overall welfare of the state’s populace. He pointed out that many of the aspirants now disputing the emergence of Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu as the APC governorship candidate had not raised concerns about the process until it failed to serve their personal interests. He sharply criticized this behavior, likening it to grown men squabbling over trivial matters, and urged a shift in focus towards addressing the pressing needs of the Kwara people rather than a sense of political entitlement.

Sulaiman highlighted the severe challenges confronting Kwara State, which include escalating insecurity, high rates of unemployment, widespread poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. He expressed regret that the political discourse in the state had veered away from these critical issues. He elaborated on the impact of insecurity, noting that residents have been displaced from their villages, farmers are unable to access their lands, and women face difficulties reaching markets, all compounded by persistently high unemployment figures. He decried the absence of concrete proposals from political figures on how to tackle these problems, observing that the debate had devolved into a contest of personal ambition for the governorship, seemingly driven by a desire for power rather than public service.

Reiterating his own political motivations, Prof. Sulaiman emphasized that his entry into politics was purely to serve the people, devoid of personal ambition. He advocated for competence and leadership capacity as the fundamental criteria for selecting leaders, asserting that he has consistently engaged in issue-based politics, believing that the people of Kwara deserve better governance and representation.

While acknowledging that the APC primary process had indeed generated controversy, Sulaiman defended the party’s internal mechanisms. He argued that all participants had willingly subjected themselves to these established processes. He maintained that once the electoral 'game' had concluded and a winner officially declared, it was inappropriate for individuals to suddenly challenge the legitimacy of the process simply because the outcome did not favor them, positing that those now complaining would likely not have rejected the nomination if they had emerged victorious through the same process.

Regarding the G-15 group’s grievances, Prof. Sulaiman suggested that their concerns should have been raised and addressed prior to the finalization of the selection process, rather than after a candidate had already been chosen. He also underscored that President Bola Tinubu had publicly indicated that sitting APC governors would play a significant role in the selection of their successors, thereby validating Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's recognized leadership within the Kwara State APC chapter.