Category: Politics

Engr. Femi Sanni. FNICE, FNSE (Araba) has officially declared his intention to contest the Kwara State governorship, calling for a consultative and inclusive process in choosing the next leader of the state.

He said stakeholders must remain sensitive to the yearnings of the people, stressing that Kwara’s future should be shaped by the collective voice of its citizens.

According to him, leadership must be anchored on competence, proven track record, integrity, and inclusiveness as the foundation for sustainable development.

The APC stalwart, who said his decision followed wide consultations across the three senatorial districts, positioned himself as a bridge-builder committed to unity and progress, while outlining priorities around youth empowerment, economic growth, and transforming Kwara into a conference and business hub.

“Kwara belongs to all of us — Kwara tiwa ni,” he said, pledging people-centered governance and accelerated development across the state. More details are expected as the story develops.

As permutations over the 2027 governorship race in Kwara State gather momentum, Araba Femi Sanni, FNICE, FNSE on Wednesday called for a broad-based, consultative process in selecting a successor to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while also commending All Progressives Congress, APC leadership for the smooth management of party affairs so far.

Araba made this known after a strategic meeting in Abuja with Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who has recently declared interest in the governorship race.
Positioning himself within the unfolding political conversation, Araba stressed that the choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate must reflect wide consultation and concensus building.
“Only a consultative and inclusive process can produce a leader truly deserving of Kwara.

“This is what we have been doing in APC in Kwara,” he said.

The meeting between the two political figures is already fuelling fresh speculation within Kwara’s political circles about a possible governorship bid by Araba, given his longstanding ties with key stakeholders at both state and national levels.

While he stopped short of declaring his ambition, Araba’s remarks signalled alignment with Issa-Onilu and hinted at a shared political direction ahead of 2027.

“Mallam Issa-Onilu and I are not just friends; we are political soulmates. Our vision for Kwara has always been aligned,” Araba stated.

“Even on the critical decisions ahead in 2027, our thinking remains the same.”

On the contentious issue of ticket allocation within the APC, Araba reiterated that a consultative approach remains the most viable pathway, invoking Governor AbdulRazaq’s earlier stance on neutrality.

“The governor has made it clear from the outset — he has no anointed candidate,” he noted.

“He has also emphasised that the candidate must emerge through broad consultation. That remains the only credible path if we are to sustain and consolidate on the gains recorded so far.”

With political consultations intensifying and subtle alignments emerging, Araba’s intervention adds a new layer to the evolving succession dynamics in Kwara. His careful positioning — without an outright declaration — is likely to keep observers watching closely in the coming days.

The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) has warned political aspirants and parties against erecting unauthorized billboards across the state without obtaining the required approval from the agency.

The warning was issued by the Ag General Manager, Toba Adeyeye, during the agency’s official visit to Kwara South as part of its ongoing sensitisation and enforcement drive.

He emphasized that the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has recorded remarkable achievements in the beautification and restructuring of the state, noting that such progress must not be undermined by unauthorized billboard placements.

“His Excellency has done a lot in repositioning Kwara State through urban renewal and environmental improvements. As an agency, we will not allow any aspirant or political party to jeopardize this great progress with illegal billboard installations,” he stated.

The Ag General Manager reiterated that KWASAA remains open to all stakeholders, including political aspirants and parties, for proper approval of billboards and other advertising-related matters.

He further disclosed that the agency is currently developing a well-structured layout for political campaign advertisements across the state to ensure orderliness, safety, and improved aesthetic standards.

“As part of this initiative, KWASAA will organise a special stakeholders’ engagement forum for political aspirants and parties in April. The forum is aimed at fostering dialogue, providing guidance, and ensuring full compliance with signage and advertisement regulations,” the Ag General Manager added.

The agency therefore urged all political stakeholders to adhere strictly to laid-down guidelines and seek appropriate approvals before installing any billboard structures.

Femi Sanni, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and chairman of Stefolga Group and Flow FM 92.7, says Nigeria’s development cannot depend on Lagos and Abuja alone.

Speaking on Friday during a visit to the Kwara state secretariat of the APC in Ilorin, Sanni, popularly known as Araba, called for stronger sub-national governance across the country.

He congratulated the APC leadership in Kwara, led by Sunday Fagbemi, the state chairman, following the successful conduct of the party’s congress.

According to him, Nigeria’s progress “ultimately depends on the performance and functionality of its states”.

“A country can only be as good as the sum total of its sub-nationals,” he said.

He said the political culture nurtured in Lagos state and widely credited to President Bola Tinubu has ensured continuity of governance and accelerated development.

Sanni said the Lagos model shows that political succession anchored on ideas rather than personalities can transform states into viable economic centres.

“If we say the United States is a great country, it is because every state contributes meaningfully to the national strength,” he said.

“In Nigeria, we must begin to measure development from the states. If only Lagos and Abuja are functional, that means only two out of 37 units are working effectively.”

Sanni said strengthening state institutions and entrenching political continuity across administrations would help to accelerate national development.

He also commended Tinubu for sustaining progressive political ideals over the decades.

Sanni praised AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, for laying what he described as “a new benchmark for governance in the state”.

He urged the APC leadership to consolidate the governor’s reforms and ensure that future political contests within the party are conducted on a transparent and level playing field.

Sanni said the struggle to install progressive governance in Kwara was the result of years of political perseverance.

“I contested for the house of representatives in 2003,” he said.

“As I recall, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and myself were both on the ballot under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) at the time.”

Sanni said the early efforts later evolved into a broader progressive coalition that reshaped the state’s leadership in 2019.

“The effort to rescue Kwara took many years of commitment and sacrifice,” he said.

“This is why it is important that the party builds lasting legacies and avoids returning the state to the old ways of doing things.”

Responding, Fagbemi commended Sanni for his longstanding commitment to the progressive movement in the state.

“You have always identified with the progressive family in Kwara,” Fagbemi said.

“The fruit of the labour of those early years is what we are all benefiting from today. We appreciate your commitment.”

The Chairman of FlowFM 92.7 and Stefolga Group, Araba Olufemi Sanni, has extended warm congratulations to Prince Sunday Fagbemi on his re-election as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

Fagbemi was returned unopposed alongside other members of the state executive during the party’s congress held on Tuesday in Ilorin, a mandate party leaders described as a vote of confidence in his leadership.

In a statement issued, Sanni praised the transparent and peaceful conduct of the congress, describing it as a reflection of the party’s growing unity and democratic maturity in the state.

“I congratulate Prince Sunday Fagbemi on his well-deserved re-election as Chairman of our great party, the APC, in Kwara State.

This affirmation by party delegates is a testament to his leadership qualities, dedication, and the confidence the party faithful repose in him to steer the ship of our great party,” Sanni stated.

He also acknowledged the role of Kwara State Governor and APC leader, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in fostering a united and progressive party structure in the state, noting that the governor’s inclusive approach has strengthened the party’s grassroots appeal.

Sanni further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his national leadership and support for the party’s growth across all states, expressing confidence that the APC under Fagbemi’s continued leadership would build on its achievements and prepare adequately for the 2027 general elections.

“With this renewed mandate, I am confident that Prince Fagbemi and his executive team will consolidate the party’s developmental strides and further strengthen our democratic foothold in Kwara State.

The APC family remains united, and together we will continue to deliver good governance and progressive ideals to our people,” Sanni added.

He urged all party members to remain focused and committed, setting aside personal ambitions for the collective goal of advancing the party’s fortunes and ensuring continued development for Kwara State.

…Governor says Tinubu’s reforms boosting party appeal, calls for extension of registration window

Kwara State has emerged as the leading state in the North Central zone in the ongoing electronic membership registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as party leaders attributed the surge to governance performance and internal stability under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The development came on Monday when the National Vice Chairman of the APC for North Central, Alhaji Muazu Bawa, paid a working visit to Ilorin as part of his tour of the zone to assess the progress of the e-registration exercise.

Receiving the party chieftain, Governor AbdulRazaq said Kwara had recorded significant success in the exercise, with over 227,000 members already registered, adding that the party would intensify efforts to boost the figures in the coming days despite technical challenges.

The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and economic reforms, which he said have strengthened public confidence in the APC and attracted new members across the country.

“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an environment to improve the economy nationally and for his commitment to good governance. These reforms are clearly working and are attracting people to the party,” AbdulRazaq said.

He also praised the APC national leadership, as well as the state chairman and members of the State Working Committee, for their commitment to the exercise.

“With 227,000 already registered, we still have more to do, and we will achieve more, in spite of network issues,” he said, aligning himself with calls for an extension of the registration window to allow more people to participate.

AbdulRazaq further suggested that the party should consider making every member a financial member to deepen commitment and ownership, drawing parallels with party organisation during the First Republic. He noted that the introduction of the National Identification Number requirement would strengthen the credibility of the party’s register.

The Governor said the APC remained popular in Kwara, attributing this to what he described as responsive governance and service delivery. He also congratulated the party on the onboarding of new members nationwide, including sitting governors, which he linked to progress and internal cohesion within the APC.

In his remarks, Bawa commended the Kwara State Government and the party leadership for what he described as the most impressive outing in the zone so far. He said Kwara currently has the highest number of registrants among the states he had visited.

“So far, I have gone to Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Niger, and now Kwara. To be honest, this is the best of all. Kwara is leading,” Bawa said, adding that with more time, the state could surpass its current target.

He attributed the success to what he called seriousness of purpose and good governance in the state, and conveyed the appreciation of the APC national leadership to the Governor.

Earlier, the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, and the State Coordinator of the e-registration exercise, Mubarak Salau Bello, briefed the national vice chairman on the progress recorded. Bello said the state had achieved the registration of 227,000 members within three weeks and could reach about 400,000 if given additional time.

The visit ended with assurances from party leaders to strengthen coordination and sustain momentum in the remaining days of the exercise.

The political atmosphere of Kwara State hits positively for the people of Kwara North as all first class traditional rulers from Kwara South agreed to support any candidate from Kwara North to govern the State in 2027, the unanimous decision was reached at the Ajase Ipo Descendants Union Hall where Kwara North traditional rulers engaged with Kwara South traditional rulers on insecurity and Kwara North 2027 Governorship Agenda.

Speaking at the event, the host, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, the Olupo of Ajase Ipo commended the traditional rulers for finding it neccessry to seek their support, he reiterated the commitment of the traditional rulers in Kwara South to support Kwara North 2027 agenda.

Also speaking, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, Olofa of Offa calls for localised security model across Kwara South and Kwara North region, he assure the good people of Kwara North that the traditional rulers in Kwara South will support Kwara North calls for power shift in 2027, Olofa said “In Offa town, we believe in equity and fairness, what Kwara North are asking for is not too much, it’s their right to be the governor of Kwara State in 2027, I have spent 15 years on the throne, I haven’t witness a governor from Kwara North, we the traditional rulers in Kwara South and Kwara North have agreed to support any candidate from Kwara North.”

Etsu Patigi, Dr. Umar Bologi in his remarks appreciate the hosting traditional rulers for listening and their readiness to support Kwara North gubernatorial agenda, he reechoed that it’s important to seek the support of the Kwara South traditional rulers at this time because it’s the turn of Kwara North to govern the state, he told Kwara South traditional rulers that Kwara North has been a long time supporter of Kwara South in previous years, his colleagues from Lafiagi, the revered Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammad Kudu Kawu assured the traditional rulers that Kwara North leadership won’t relent in their pursuit ” We won’t relent in our fight against insecurities in our lands across Kwara North, we have agreed on a uniform local security outfits to send them away from our lands, having said that, this gathering is historical, it has never happened before, our traditional rulers decided to come and seek the Kwara South Traditional Rulers support ahead of the history we are going to make in 2027 when a Kwara Northerner will emerge as the governor of this state, we have never been this united in our aspirations before, we won’t relent, we are going to meet everyone involved in decision making, untill we achieve our aims. We have equally send strong warnings to the saboteurs within our region to take caution, Kwara North Agenda 2027 is our collective efforts.”

Elese of Igbaja, Oba Ahmed Babalola and Olomu of Omuaran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti calls for a localized security channels to combat insecurity ravaging Kwara South and Kwara North, they reiterated the voices of their colleagues in supporting the bid of Kwara South to govern the state in 2027.

Other traditional leaders present at the event includes; Alofa of Ilofa, Olosi of Osi, Emir of Yashikira, Emir of Okuta, Olupako of Share, Etsu Tsaragi, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Emir of Kaiama, Elerin of Erin-Ile.

The event followed earlier resolution by the Kwara North Traditional Rulers to decisively support their son/daughter to govern Kwara by 2027.

Kwara State’s political scene has been shaken by the defection of 24 prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The wave of departures, which includes former governors, legislators and grassroots organisers, is seen as one of the biggest setbacks yet for the PDP in the state.

The exodus was led by former governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, who announced in July that he was leaving the PDP for the ADC. Citing a “lack of vision and internal democracy,” Ahmed said he was convinced the party could no longer deliver on the aspirations of its members.

His move opened the floodgates for other senior figures to leave.

Among those who have crossed over are Gbenga Makanjuola, the PDP’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, and Dare Bankole, a two-time House of Representatives candidate.

Both joined the APC, pledging support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s development agenda. At a rally in Omu-Aran, Makanjuola said the PDP had “lost its soul” and that Kwara’s future lies in “a party that works for the people.”

Bolaji Abdullahi, the PDP’s 2023 senatorial candidate for Kwara Central and a former APC national publicity secretary, also joined the ADC. In a speech in Ilorin, Abdullahi accused the PDP of “stagnation” and called the ADC “the only viable opposition in Kwara.”

Others who have defected to the APC include Hon. Wahab Issa, a former member of the House of Representatives; Kehinde Alex Bankole, a 2019 state constituency candidate; Haliru Dantsoho, former PDP youth leader; Hon. Adam Zakaria, a ward chairman; Hon. Toyin Ibrahim, a former councilor; Samson Osoba, a former council secretary in Oyun; and Hon. Joshua Omokanye Jalalala, a former Oyun local government chairman.

Several other figures, including Hon. Amuda Kanike, a former member of the House of Representatives; Hajiya Nana Suleiman, PDP North-Central zonal women leader; and Engr. A.T. Asanloko, a former council secretary, have moved to the ADC. They say the PDP’s leadership has failed to provide opportunities for inclusion and growth.

Bukola Saraki, the PDP’s most influential figure in the state, called an emergency meeting in Ilorin to try to prevent further losses, but his appeal fell on deaf ears.

The defections continued, with some openly challenging Saraki’s leadership and calling time on what they described as “one-man politics.”

Governor AbdulRazaq has welcomed the defectors, describing their decision as a vote of confidence in his government’s direction.

At a rally in Kaiama, he said: “Kwara is moving forward, and the APC is the vehicle for progress. We welcome all who share our vision.”

For the PDP, the fallout has been severe. Many grassroots leaders, councillors, and organisers who have formed the backbone of the party’s political structure in the state have abandoned it. With the departure of such a large number of leaders and their followers, observers say the PDP faces an uphill battle to remain relevant.