Governor AbdulRazaq, Senator Mustapha In Two-Horse Race For Kwara Central Senate Seat

The Kwara State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday received massive support from leaders, stalwarts, and members of the party during the Kwara Central senatorial district primaries held across the four local government areas of the district.

AbdulRazaq is contesting against the serving senator representing the district, Saliu Mustapha, despite earlier reports suggesting that the senator was not in the race.

A new official APC document has, however, shown that Mustapha obtained the nomination form and was cleared to contest for the seat.

Visits to some polling stations revealed a massive turnout of party loyalists who came out to vote for their preferred candidates.

Addressing party members in Ibagun Ward, Ilorin East Local Government Area, the Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, said party leaders and faithful were united in ensuring the success of the APC at all levels in 2027.

“Here, we are in total support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the senatorial election. I want to assure our leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, that Ibagun Ward is fully with the APC. We shall deliver 100 per cent for the party in 2027. We are solidly behind the APC.”

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the primary election, a party stalwart and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Cook Olododo, said the contest between Governor AbdulRazaq and Senator Saliu Mustapha attracted an impressive turnout of party loyalists in appreciation of the achievements of the APC-led government in the state and the country.

“This is Ibagun Ward in Ilorin East Local Government Area. If you look at the turnout, there is no ward, whether during primaries or general elections, in Ilorin East that can match Ibagun Ward. We are always number one. What happened today shows that there is unity in Ibagun. Both leaders and followers are united in the APC.

“What we are witnessing today is a senatorial primary involving our leader, the Governor of Kwara State and Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, contesting for the Senate seat in the 2027 election against the incumbent senator, Turaki Ngeri of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha.

“The turnout shows that the governor is firmly on ground. Saliu is also from the Emirate, and nobody denies that. But we know who our leader is — the governor of the state. That is why you are seeing this turnout. The figures clearly show who commands the support on the ground,” the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) said.

Also speaking, a former Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, said AbdulRazaq has performed well and deserves the support he is receiving from party faithful.

“This area belongs to the APC. There is no doubt about that. Everything went peacefully. His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had a successful outing. We are ready to face candidates from other parties. Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has done well for the state, and he deserves the support he is getting from party faithful,” he said.

A House of Representatives aspirant, Engr. Abdulquwiy Olododo, said AbdulRazaq polled an overwhelming number of votes to defeat his lone challenger, Senator Saliu Mustapha, in Ibagun Ward.

“What happened today (Monday) is a confirmation of the people’s belief in the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The turnout here is impressive. The people voted overwhelmingly for His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“Despite the fact that many people did not realise the governor had an opponent, our people still came out en masse in support of His Excellency. From what we have seen here in Ibagun Ward, Ilorin East, Kwara Central, and across the state, Governor AbdulRazaq is fully on ground,” Olododo explained.

Similarly, at Ubandawaki Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area, a party chieftain and former non-executive director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, praised party members for their loyalty to the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq.

At Badari Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area, party stakeholders, including women and youths, trooped out en masse to participate in the APC senatorial primary election.

According to the ward results, Governor AbdulRazaq polled all the votes, while Mustapha received zero votes.

The exercise was peaceful, orderly, and well coordinated, with party members expressing confidence in the leadership and candidacy of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat.