ILORIN, Kwara State – A report circulating online claiming that five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have endorsed Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki ahead of today’s primary election has been dismissed as false by one of the aspirants mentioned.
The initial report, which spread widely on social media and messaging platforms on Wednesday evening, stated that several aspirants had resolved to step down and support Seriki “in the interest of party unity and continuity of the progressive vision championed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.” It listed Dr. Salako Muyideen Oluwatoyin, Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, Professor Wale Sulaiman, Dr. Mohammed Omar Bio, Dr. Toyin Alabi, Hajia Aisha Ahman Patigi, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, and House Speaker Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi as signatories to the purported agreement.
However, a reliable source familiar with the meeting told Veritas News Hub that the gathering was misrepresented. According to the source, the picture used in the report was taken during a general stakeholders’ engagement and had no connection to any endorsement decision.
“Mischievous persons added a caption that suits them, which is not too good,” the source said. “For clarity, Dr. Muideen Olaniyi Azeez Salako is still very much in the race for today’s primary elections. He is on the ballot.”
In a statement issued early Thursday morning, the campaign team of Dr. Salako urged APC stakeholders, delegates, and party members to disregard the viral claim. The team said the report was aimed at misleading delegates and distorting the outcome of the primary process.
“Dr. Salako remains a bonafide aspirant and is on the ballot for the APC governorship primary holding today, Thursday, 21st May 2026,” the statement read. “We urge all party stakeholders and loyalists to disregard the false news and vote right for Dr. Muideen Olaniyi Azeez Salako.”
The team called on party members to focus on issue-based engagement and avoid the spread of unverified information that could undermine internal democracy.
The APC Kwara State gubernatorial primary is scheduled to hold today across the 16 local government areas. Several aspirants have been conducting consultations and rallies in the lead-up to the exercise, which will determine the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 general elections.
Party officials have repeatedly appealed for a peaceful and credible process, warning against actions that could fracture the APC ahead of the polls. The state chapter of the party has not issued an official statement on the alleged endorsements as of press time.
Political observers in Ilorin noted that false endorsement claims have become common in Nigerian primaries, often used to sway undecided delegates and create a bandwagon effect. They advised delegates to verify information through official party channels before making decisions.
Veritas News Hub could not independently verify the positions of the other individuals named in the original report at the time of filing this story. Efforts to reach representatives of Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki and the other aspirants mentioned were unsuccessful.
The APC National Secretariat has set guidelines requiring all aspirants to sign an undertaking to support the eventual winner of the primary. Party leaders in Kwara have stressed that unity after the primary will be critical to retaining the state in 2027.
Delegates are expected to cast their votes today, with results anticipated later in the evening. Security agencies have assured residents of adequate deployment to ensure a peaceful process.
Veritas News Hub will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as the primary unfolds.
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