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The All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus in Kwara North has rejected the call for zoning of the state’s governorship seat.
The APC caucus said that competence, independence, credibility and proven capacity must remain the guiding principles in choosing the state’s next governor.
Rising from its meeting on Wednesday, APC caucus also said it would be supporting backing President Bola Tinubu’s second term agenda and Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, also known as BOB, as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
They made their decision known on Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital, through Malam Lukman Sabi-Musa, the leader of the caucus.
He spoke on behalf of APC stakeholders from Edu, Patigi, Moro, Kiama and Baruten Local Government Areas.
Malam Sabi-Musa noted that Bolarinwa contributed emmencely to the historic ”O to Ge” political movement, and also has experience in governance.
The caucus stressed that while it supports the aspiration for Kwara North to produce a governor, such ambition must not override merit.
“The ultimate objective of governance is not merely to produce a governor based on origin, but to ensure purposeful leadership that will uplift our region and the entire state,” Malam Sabi-Musa said.
At the same time, the caucus dissociated itself from what it described as “recent press statements and hastily-organised rallies” by some individuals claiming to represent Kwara North in pushing for zoning of the governorship to the region.
“We categorically reject these actions and dissociate ourselves from such representations,” Malam Sabi-Musa said.
He alleged that proponents of the zoning agenda were primarily motivated by efforts to secure the governorship ticket through lobbying at state and federal levels.
The coordinator further claimed that some stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, were coerced into attending the rallies through the use of state machinery.
“It is deeply concerning to contemplate leadership that may be constrained or lack the independence required to deliver impactful governance,” he added.
The Kwara North APC Caucus noted that despite years of representation at both state and national levels, the developmental impact in parts of Kwara North remains limited, underscoring the need for more capable and effective leadership.
He emphasised that governance should transcend ethnic, tribal or sectional considerations.
“The focus must remain on competence and capacity, qualities that not only win elections but also guarantee inclusive governance and equitable development,” he said.
The caucus maintained that Kwara North stakeholders are “resolute, informed and committed” to ensuring that the dividends of democracy are tangible and evenly distributed across the state.
2027: Kwara North APC caucus rejects zoning, reveals criteria for picking next governor
