The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth, Hon. Muhammed Funsho Abdullahi, has called on political parties in Kwara State to zone their 2027 governorship tickets to the North, insisting that justice and equity demand that the region be given a chance.
Abdullahi made the appeal in Ilorin during a youth and stakeholder dialogue organised by the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum in partnership with groups from Kwara Central.
Speaking at the forum themed “Kwara North 2027 Governorship Aspiration: A Path to a More United and Prosperous Kwara,” Abdullahi noted that since 1999, Kwara Central had produced governors for over two decades, while Kwara South held the office for eight years. Kwara North, he stressed, has never produced a governor.
He urged the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other platforms to demonstrate fairness by zoning their tickets to the North, drawing parallels with how the APC ceded its presidential ticket to the South after former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
“This is not about sentiment. Political parties must do what is right. But beyond zoning, Kwara North must unite and present a competent and credible candidate. Sentiment alone cannot win elections,” he cautioned.
Chairperson of the Forum, Abdul Dayan Aishat Haruna, said the North was ready to lead. According to him, the region has capable candidates and has shown loyalty in past elections, especially in 2023 when it supported the incumbent administration’s second term.
“We are only asking for inclusiveness. In 2027, Kwara North should be given the opportunity to govern. We have the capacity and competence to lead,” he said, expressing confidence that the Central and Southern zones would support their aspiration.
Also speaking, Chairman of the APC Elders’ Forum, Barrister Kunle Suleiman, described the demand as “a question of justice, not rivalry.” He reminded stakeholders that despite fielding a candidate in the last election, Kwara North still backed the APC.
Senator Ahmed Mohammed Wazir, another prominent leader from the North, described the meeting as evidence of determination and inclusivity.
“This time around, Kwara North is resolute. With consultations across the three zones, we will achieve it,” he said.
