APC Elders Caucus Dismisses Dissident Group, Reaffirms Support for Danladi-Salihu and Governor AbdulRazaq

The Kwara State APC Elders Caucus has dismissed as “interlopers” a group of individuals who earlier addressed a press conference under the banner of the APC Elders Caucus, insisting that they are not recognized by the party’s structure in the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Monday, the caucus said it was compelled to respond in order to correct what it described as “spurious claims” and misinformation being circulated by the group.

According to the caucus, the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its governorship primary election in a peaceful, transparent, and democratic atmosphere, culminating in the emergence of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The caucus noted that the primary election, held on May 22, 2026, was supervised by a committee sent from Abuja and chaired by former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who officially announced the results at the Banquet Hall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.

It stressed that none of the aspirants who participated in the contest had formally challenged the outcome of the exercise, adding that Danladi-Salihu had since demonstrated leadership by extending a hand of fellowship to fellow contestants and embarking on visits to key stakeholders and traditional rulers across the state.

The caucus described the APC governorship candidate as a qualified and experienced politician whose credentials are well known to the public.

“Aside from being an engineer, Danladi-Salihu has acquired considerable political experience as the state’s number three citizen over the last seven years. He is also a youth who enjoys widespread support among the younger population,” the caucus stated.

Responding to allegations that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq imposed a candidate on the party, the caucus firmly rejected the claim, maintaining that the governor allowed a free and fair contest among all aspirants.

According to the group, Governor AbdulRazaq neither conducted nor directly controlled the primary election but merely accepted the outcome of a process widely adjudged to be peaceful, credible, and transparent.

The caucus recalled that Senator Obanikoro, while announcing the results, disclosed that Danladi-Salihu secured 94,990 votes to emerge victorious over eight other aspirants.

It further highlighted the broad support enjoyed by the Speaker across the state’s three senatorial districts, noting that party leaders, stakeholders, and members overwhelmingly endorsed his candidacy.

The caucus also pointed out that several leading aspirants, including Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, had openly mobilized support for Danladi-Salihu during the primary election.

According to the results announced by the APC committee, Danladi-Salihu polled 94,990 votes, while Ambassador Yahaya Seriki scored 41,700 votes and Hajia Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim Bolarinwa garnered 22,118 votes. Other aspirants recorded significantly lower figures.

The elders’ caucus said the outcome clearly reflected the wishes of APC members across Kwara State and urged all party stakeholders to unite behind the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Rather than questioning the legitimacy of the primary election, the caucus said all genuine party members should work collectively to consolidate the achievements of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration and ensure APC’s continued success in the state.

While expressing confidence in the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq, the caucus described him as a listening and responsive leader who has consistently promoted inclusiveness in both party affairs and governance.

The group concluded by assuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC’s strength in Kwara State, expressing optimism that the party would once again secure victory in the state during the 2027 general elections.

“We want to assure Mr. President that Kwara remains an APC state, and by the grace of God, the governor and all genuine stakeholders of the party will deliver the state to the APC once again in 2027,” the caucus stated.