Quote from Bose_O on May 9, 2026, 12:41 pm

The political atmosphere in Kwara State has intensified as major contenders have formally declared their intentions for the 2027 governorship race. Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, officially submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform this week. His entry is seen as a significant move to succeed the current administration, signaling a major milestone in his political journey as he calls for a “more progressive and inclusive Kwara.”

 

Simultaneously, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has seen a surge in activity with Omar Bolaji Gambari picking up his nomination forms at the party’s state secretariat in Ilorin. Gambari, who received royal blessings from the Emir of Ilorin before his declaration, praised the leadership of former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki for maintaining the party’s structure in the state. He expressed confidence in the PDP’s consensus arrangement and vowed to abide by the leadership’s final decision regarding the party’s flagbearer.

 

These declarations come amid growing demands for regional balance within the state. A group of APC stakeholders from the Kwara Ekiti region has petitioned the national leadership, alleging that their area has been marginalized from the House of Representatives slot for over 28 years. They are calling for the party to support a candidate from the Ekiti and Oke-Ero local government areas to correct what they term a “historical injustice” and ensure fair representation in the Green Chamber.

 

As political activities gather momentum in Ilorin and surrounding districts, analysts suggest that the 2027 election will be a high-stakes battle between the ruling APC and a resurgent PDP. The focus remains on which candidates can best address the state’s infrastructure and economic needs. Both Mustapha and Gambari have emphasized their commitment to grassroots engagement, setting the stage for an intense primary season as they seek to build coalitions across various interest groups in the state. URL: https://guardian.ng/politics/kwara-senator-saliu-mustapha-joins-apc-governorship-race-submits-nomination-forms/