Kwara North craves 2027 governorship ticket
Stakeholders in Kwara State are advocating for the 2027 governorship ticket to be zoned to Kwara North.
This demand stems from a push for fairness and regional inclusion, as Kwara North has not produced a governor since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
The call was made at a high-profile youth and stakeholder dialogue in Ilorin, jointly organised by the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum and a coalition of Kwara Central organisations on September 21, 2025.
The event, themed “Kwara North 2027 Governorship Aspiration: A Path to a More United and Prosperous Kwara,” drew participants from across the state.
The Chief of Staff to the Minister for Youth, Hon. Muhammed Funsho Abdullahi, emphasized that major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), should officially zone their tickets to the region.
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He highlighted that Kwara Central has held the governorship for over two decades, and Kwara South for eight years, making it Kwara North’s turn. Abdullahi drew parallels with the APC’s 2023 presidential ticket zoning to the South, which led to President Bola Tinubu’s emergence.
He emphasized that fairness, equity, and strategic unity demand that the North be given its turn.
“Political parties must do this right. But beyond zoning, the people of Kwara North must unite and present a credible candidate. Sentiment alone will not win an election. There must be unity and competence,” Abdullahi cautioned.
Chairperson of the Forum, Abdul Dayan Aishat Haruna, affirmed the North’s readiness this time around.
“We are only agitating for inclusiveness. In 2027, we should be given the opportunity to serve as governor of this state. We have competent and capable people in Kwara North who can lead just as others have done”, he said.
Haruna, who rated the support from Kwara Central and South at “90.5 out of 100,” expressed optimism about inter-zone backings.
He recalled that in 2023, Kwara North lent its support to the incumbent administration to allow it complete a second term, and now expects reciprocal loyalty from the other zones.
Chairman of APC Elder’s Forum, Barrister Kunle Suleiman, described the call as a matter of justice rather than regional rivalry.
“This is not about North, Central or South, it is about fairness. In the last election, despite having a candidate in PDP, Kwara North still supported APC. The only way to return that favor is to zone the governorship ticket to Kwara North,” he argued.
Senator Ahmed Mohammed Wazir, prominent elder and stakeholder leader of Kwara North, hailed the gathering as a mark of resolve.
“The event is impressive and inclusive, with APC, PDP and SDP members all present. This time around, Kwara North is determined. Through consultation with our brothers in the South and Central, we will make it,” he said.
SOURCE: Nigerian Sketch