2027: APC Screens Out 105 Kwara Assembly Aspirants

The All Progressives Congress disqualified 105 aspirants seeking tickets for the 2027 Kwara State House of Assembly election during the party’s screening exercise in Ilorin.

The outcome of the screening, which was pasted at the APC secretariat in the Kwara State capital, showed that only 53 aspirants out of the 158 who purchased nomination forms were cleared to continue in the race. The exercise affected several serving lawmakers who were seeking second and third terms in office.

The list released by the party’s screening committee revealed that many lawmakers from different parts of the state failed to secure approval to participate in the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 general polls.

In Kwara Central Senatorial District, almost all lawmakers seeking another term were cleared by the committee except the lawmaker representing Alanamu/Ajikobi Constituency, Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu, whose name appeared among those not cleared.

The situation was tougher in Kwara South Senatorial District, where several sitting lawmakers lost out in the screening process. Among those affected were Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu of Omupo Constituency and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq of Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, both from Ifelodun Local Government Area. Other lawmakers declared uncleared included Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq and Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga, who represent Oke-Ero, Isin and Essa/Shawo/Igboidun constituencies respectively.

Despite the large number of disqualified aspirants, some lawmakers from Oyun Local Government Area successfully passed the screening exercise, including the Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode.

In Kwara North Senatorial District, lawmakers from Moro Local Government Area who applied for another term were cleared by the committee. However, Hon. Issa Gideon, who represents Edu Constituency and is currently facing suspension in the Assembly over alleged misconduct, was not cleared to seek re-election.

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, did not obtain a nomination form for another Assembly term. Reports within the party suggest he is pursuing the APC governorship ticket ahead of the state governorship election. Another lawmaker, Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel, was also absent from the Assembly race after reportedly purchasing a nomination form for the House of Representatives seat representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency.

Before the screening exercise began, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Success Musa, reportedly described the large number of aspirants as proof of the growing acceptance of the APC in Kwara State. He noted that the number of interested contestants reflected increasing political participation within the ruling party.

The development has already created tension among some lawmakers and their supporters across the state, especially those hoping to retain their seats under the APC platform in the next election cycle.