Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday dismissed speculations that he had endorsed or promised to anoint a successor ahead of the 2027 governorship race, insisting that the All Progressives Congress will conduct an open and merit-based primary.
Speaking in Ilorin at the state congress of the party, AbdulRazaq addressed rumours that he planned to back a candidate from Kwara North Senatorial District.
“For those who will contest and whoever eventually emerges, it is not about anyone anointing anybody.
“We are not here to build a dynasty; we are here to build a legacy. Whoever succeeds me will build on this foundation and strive to do better,” he said.
On the succession debate, the governor stressed that competence and party process would determine the eventual candidate, without formal zoning arrangements.
“We have raised the bar in Kwara State, and our successor will take it even further,” he said.
The governor disclosed that six governorship aspirants, including a member of the state House of Assembly, have signified interest in the race, describing the contest as tough but healthy for internal democracy.
“When I speak of healthy competition, I mean it will be tough. Even from within our state House of Assembly, we have six governorship aspirants altogether. Moving forward, it will indeed be a healthy contest,” he said.
AbdulRazaq urged aspirants and party stakeholders to maintain unity before and after the primaries, stressing that the winner must carry others along.
“It will be healthy competition among those who aspire to succeed, and I urge whoever emerges victorious to carry along those who do not succeed in order to foster unity as one family,” he said.
The governor also praised party members for sustaining unity, describing the peaceful conduct of the congress as evidence of cohesion within the APC.
“As you can see, the opposition has collapsed nationally, especially in Kwara State,” he said, noting defections from the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress to the APC.
AbdulRazaq highlighted the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, asserting that the state had been transformed over the past six years.
“What will the opposition campaign on infrastructure, education, or healthcare? We have championed social development programmes across all these sectors,” he said.
He further credited President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for growing national confidence in the APC, citing improvements in economic indicators.
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