Kwara APC Disowns ‘Elders Caucus’, Affirms Danladi-Salihu as Governorship Candidate

ILORIN, – The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has disowned a group that addressed a press conference on Monday as the “Kwara State APC Elders Caucus”, insisting no such body exists within the party structure.

In a statement signed by State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji A.O. Babatunde, the party said the governorship primary held on 22 May 2026 was conducted in line with guidelines issued by the National Working Committee and supervised by representatives of the National Secretariat and security agencies.

“Rt. Hon. Engr. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, emerged as the duly elected candidate of the party. Any suggestion that the primary ‘never took place’ is a deliberate falsehood,” the statement said.

The APC also defended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s role in the process, saying he acted in consultation with the NWC to preserve unity and field the strongest candidate. It dismissed claims that critical stakeholders were excluded, noting consultations across the state’s three senatorial districts before and after the primary.

Describing Danladi as “a tested administrator, a ranking lawmaker, and a son of Kwara with deep roots across the state”, the party said he enjoys the support of the party structure and grassroots members.

It further faulted allegations that “influential aides in the Presidency are working to foist an unpopular option”, calling the claim “reckless, unsubstantiated, and capable of causing disaffection”. The APC said under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party respects internal democracy and due process.

On party unity, the statement said the Kwara APC remains “one united family” and urged members to use established structures for engagement rather than press conferences that “undermine party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections”.

The party clarified that no “Kwara State APC Elders Caucus” has been inaugurated. It said elders’ caucuses exist at senatorial level, with only the Kwara Central caucus inaugurated so far, while those for the North and South are pending.