ILORIN, Kwara State – Groups, party members, and stakeholders across Kwara State have accused the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of interfering in Kwara State politics, alleging that the actions are undermining state and community development ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made in statements obtained by Veritas News Hub from prominent stakeholders in Kwara State who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The allegations center on four claims: that the APC National Secretary is behind a broader push to impose candidates on Kwara people; that he is seeking to return Senator Lola Ashiru to the Senate despite what they describe as seven years of underperformance; that he is working to install Senator Saliu Mustapha as governor; and that unconfirmed financial inducement is motivating the moves.
Allegations of Imposition in Kwara South.
According to the stakeholders, the APC National Secretary is directly involved in efforts to impose Senator Lola Ashiru as the party’s candidate for Kwara South in the next election cycle.
“We have found out who is trying to impose Sen. Lola Ashiru on Kwara South people at the expense of lives and community development,” one prominent stakeholder said. “Sen. Lola Ashiru is our son. He has done it before, and we have seen his best. But his best are not enough for the Kwara South people.”
The group questioned the rationale for the alleged imposition, pointing to persistent insecurity, poor rural roads, and limited access to federal projects across the seven local government areas of Kwara South.
“How will the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress force such a person on us? Is he even aware of the present insecurity in Kwara South and other senatorial districts across our dear state? Has he felt our pain?” the stakeholder asked
Senator Ashiru, who has represented Kwara South since 2019, did not respond to requests for comment. The APC National Secretariat also did not reply to inquiries as of press time.
Claims of Governorship Imposition in Kwara Central
The stakeholders further alleged that the APC National Secretary is pushing to impose Senator Saliu Mustapha as the party’s governorship candidate for Kwara State in 2027. They said the move appeared to be based on their past working relationship in the Senate rather than on merit or party consensus.
“Reliable source also revealed he is behind the imposition of another Kwara Central governor despite the fact that the incumbent governor is from Kwara Central,” the statement read.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is currently serving his second term, is also from Ilorin in Kwara Central. The stakeholders argued that imposing another candidate from the same zone would disregard zoning balance and could deepen divisions within the APC in the state.
Senator Mustapha’s office declined to comment when contacted by Veritas News Hub.
Unconfirmed Claims of Financial Inducement
The stakeholders also said they had received unconfirmed information suggesting that financial inducement was a factor behind the alleged imposition efforts. They warned that if true, the development could damage the APC’s credibility and cost the party support in Kwara.
“Unconfirmed information has it that financial inducement is the reason for the step, which can make APC to fail in Kwara state,” the statement said. No evidence was provided to substantiate the claim, and Veritas News Hub could not independently verify it.
Political analysts in Ilorin say such perceptions, even if unproven, can erode trust between the party and its grassroots base, especially in a state where the APC came to power in 2019 on a platform of breaking political godfatherism.
Call for Non-Interference and Internal Democracy
The stakeholders called on the APC National Secretary to focus on his national responsibilities and allow Kwara stakeholders to determine their candidates through transparent processes.
“His job is at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, not Kwara State,” the group said. “We are calling on him to leave Kwara State alone and allow the people to decide who represents them.”
They urged the APC national leadership to uphold internal democracy and ensure that primaries are conducted fairly, with input from party members at the ward, local government, and state levels.
Political Stakes for 2027
Kwara remains a key state for the APC in the North Central zone. The party won the governorship and all three senatorial seats in 2019 and retained them in 2023 under the “O To Ge” political movement.
However, early tensions over candidate selection could weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of 2027, especially if perceptions of imposition take hold. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups are already working to rebuild in the state.
The Kwara State APC Publicity Secretary told _Veritas News Hub_ that the party was committed to due process. “There is no imposition plan. All aspirants will be given a level playing field when the time comes,” he said.
For now, the allegations remain unproven but have already shifted political conversations across Kwara State. Aspirants across the state are mobilizing, and community groups say they will hold leaders accountable for performance, not political connections.
The stakeholders concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the development of Kwara State and said they would continue to monitor political developments in the state.
_Veritas News Hub will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more reactions emerge from party stakeholders.
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