By Lanre Oloyede
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has expressed confidence that the ruling party will retain Kwara State in the 2027 general elections, citing the performance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the party’s growing political strength.
Yari spoke during a visit to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, as part of consultations with traditional rulers ahead of the elections.
The APC campaign chief also led a delegation of party leaders to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to seek royal blessings and counsel ahead of the party’s campaign activities.
According to a statement issued by his media office, the visits were part of efforts to strengthen engagement with traditional institutions and promote mutual understanding ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement clarified that the consultations were not intended to solicit political endorsements or mobilisation support from the traditional rulers but to seek their prayers, blessings and guidance.
At the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Yari expressed optimism that the APC would win the presidential election, as well as the governorship and National and State Assembly elections in Kwara.
The former Zamfara State governor attributed his confidence to what he described as progress recorded since 2019, particularly in education and healthcare delivery, including the establishment of new hospitals and the implementation of reforms.
He also pointed to AbdulRazaq’s achievements as governor and his position as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as factors that could strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
Yari said the campaign council would leverage the party’s organisational strength and the governor’s performance to consolidate its position in Kwara and expand its political influence nationwide.
The visits to the royal fathers in Kwara and Oyo states, the statement said, marked the beginning of a nationwide consultative tour involving traditional and political leaders.
The tour is expected to build consensus and secure the prayers and blessings of influential stakeholders ahead of major campaign activities leading up to January 16, 2027, a date identified in the statement as significant to the electoral calendar.
The campaign council also acknowledged the role of traditional rulers in promoting peace, unity and stability, stressing the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders in the build-up to the elections.
Yari was accompanied by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.
Other members of the delegation included former governors Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Danjuma Goje, who governed Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states, respectively.
Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole were also part of the delegation.
The consultations form part of the APC’s broader preparations for the 2027 general elections as the party seeks to consolidate its support base and mobilise influential stakeholders across the country.
