‘State Power Used To Force Attendance At Rally’ — Kwara North APC Accuses Organisers Of Political Manipulation, Endorses Bolarinwa

Ilorin,  Kwara State– A coalition of stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara North has publicly distanced itself from a hastily organised and self-sponsored rally purportedly held to project a consen⁹sus governorship ambition for the region, declaring instead its endorsement of Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as the most credible aspirant for the 2027 race.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, prominent members of the Kwara North APC Caucus—Alhaji Mayaki Baba Muhammed (Edu LGA), Elder Tsado Joseph (Patigi LGA), Dr. Bolaji Afolabi (Moro LGA), Dr. Mohammed Abass (Kaiama LGA), and Luqman Sabi Musa (Baruten LGA)—accused organisers of the rally of manipulating state structures and coercing stakeholders to push a narrow political agenda.

According to the group, the rally held on Tuesday was not a reflection of the collective will of the people of Kwara North but rather a calculated attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket for the region through “influential lobbying at both state and federal levels.”

“Their objective is to secure the governorship ticket for the North through influential lobbying at both state and federal levels. In pursuit of this, they coerced stakeholders—including traditional and religious leaders—into attending the rally by leveraging the power of the state machinery against their will,” the caucus alleged.

The group, however, maintained that while it remains committed to the long-standing aspiration of producing a governor from Kwara North, such ambition must not override merit, competence, and the capacity to deliver good governance.

“We, the Kwara North Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC), wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from the recent press statements and hastily organized rallies by a few individuals claiming to speak for our region in support of the governorship aspiration of Kwara North,” the group declared.

“While we reaffirm our legitimate aspiration to see a governorship candidate emerge from Kwara North, we strongly emphasize that such ambition must not come at the expense of competence, independence, and the genuine capacity to deliver meaningful development. The ultimate objective of governance is not merely to produce a governor by origin, but to secure purposeful leadership that will uplift our region and the entire state.”

The caucus expressed concern over a pattern of underwhelming developmental impact despite years of political representation from the region across different levels of government.

“It is deeply concerning to contemplate the emergence of a leadership that is evidently constrained—one that may lack the independence to make decisive contributions or deliver impactful governance,” the statement read.

“Kwara North has, over the years, produced representatives across various levels of government—from the State Assembly to the National Assembly—yet the critical question remains: what measurable and sustainable development can we point to as the true dividends of such representation? With nearly eight years of continuous representation in some quarters, the developmental impact on our region remains a subject of legitimate concern. It is therefore imperative that we ask: if such a trajectory persists, what new value can be expected at a higher office?”

Reiterating their position, the caucus stressed that political leadership must transcend ethnic or sectional sentiments, insisting that competence, credibility, and proven track records should remain the guiding criteria.

“We firmly believe that governance and political leadership must transcend ethnic, tribal, or sectional considerations. The focus must remain on capacity, competence, credibility, and proven antecedents—qualities that not only win elections but also guarantee inclusive governance and equitable development across all regions of Kwara State,” the group stated.

Against this backdrop, the caucus formally declared its support for Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, describing him as a tested leader with the experience and capacity to unify the state and drive meaningful progress.

“In light of these principles, we have resolved to align with a candidate whose track record speaks for itself—Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, a leader of proven integrity, administrative competence, and unifying capacity,” the statement read.

“His extensive experience across legislative and executive roles, coupled with his demonstrated ability to lead and deliver—most notably during the historic O to Ge Revolution—positions him as a credible and formidable candidate. His acceptance within the leadership structure of our great party further reinforces his suitability for this noble responsibility.”

The caucus also rejected an attempts to sideline or misrepresent the voices of Kwara North stakeholders, insisting that the region remains politically conscious and determined to secure genuine development.

“We reject in totality any narrative that seeks to diminish our voice or portray us as passive stakeholders. The people of Kwara North are resolute, informed, and committed to a future where the dividends of democracy are tangible and evenly distributed,” the group said.

“For years, we have yearned and prayed for leadership that will genuinely prioritize our development, and we are confident that such a vision is embodied in the candidacy of Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa.”

The group reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for Bolarinwa’s governorship ambition ahead of 2027 and called on residents across the state to embrace unity and reject divisive politics.

“His track record of success, consistency, and service has clearly demonstrated his readiness for higher responsibility. We firmly believe he represents a unifying force capable of fostering inclusive growth, bridging regional divides, and advancing the collective interests of all Kwarans without bias or discrimination,” the caucus added.

“Accordingly, we reaffirm our unwavering support for his governorship ambition in 2027. We call on the good people of Kwara North, and indeed the entire state, to rise above divisive tendencies and unite behind a candidate who offers competence, vision, and a clear pathway to sustainable development.

“Together, let us work for unity, progress, and the greater good of Kwara State. May we all witness a prosperous and impactful tenure that will bring lasting benefits to our region and beyond.”