Traditional rulers and political stakeholders in Kwara North Senatorial District have pledged massive votes for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

They also pledged support for the party’s governorship candidate, Saliu Yakubu Danladi Saliu, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying Danladi’s emergence had given the district a sense of political representation ahead of the next governorship election.

The pledge was made at the Kwara North Traditional Rulers and Political Stakeholders’ Engagement held at the Moro Local Government Council Secretariat in Bode Saadu, Kwara State.

The meeting, convened by the Etsu Patigi and Vice Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, was themed “Kwara Project 2027: A Path Towards Sustainable Unity and a More Prosperous Kwara.”

It attracted traditional rulers from the five local government areas in the district, members of the state House of Assembly, council chairmen, political officeholders and community leaders.

Speaking at the gathering, Bologi expressed appreciation to Tinubu and AbdulRazaq, saying they had fulfilled their promises to the people of Kwara North.

“History has repeated itself today; we were here in 2024 to plead with Mr President and the Federal Government to preach our agenda.

“We are here today to officially thank President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our amiable Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for fulfilling their promise to Kwara North and the entire people of Kwara State,” Bologi said.

The monarch also acknowledged the support of the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, alongside other traditional rulers and stakeholders who, he said, had contributed to the state’s progress.

He urged residents to participate peacefully in the electoral process and support the APC and its candidates across all levels in 2027.

“As the 2027 general election approaches, it is important for us to unite, engage our community peacefully, and promote responsible participation in the democratic process so that the APC and all its candidates, from President to state assembly, emerge victorious at the polls,” he said.

Other traditional rulers who spoke at the engagement echoed Bologi’s position, pledging to mobilise support for Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Danladi and other APC candidates ahead of the elections.

In his remarks, Danladi, who is also the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, thanked the traditional rulers and people of Kwara North for their support, guidance and goodwill. He also commended Tinubu and AbdulRazaq for their support for the district.

The APC governorship candidate expressed confidence that the support extended to Kwara North would be reciprocated through votes in the 2027 elections.

Danladi further argued that it was the turn of Kwara North to produce the state’s next governor, drawing a comparison with Tinubu’s “Emi lo kan” slogan during the 2023 presidential election.

“I am not just contesting to be Governor of Kwara State; I want to be the Governor of Kwara State, and I will be the Governor,” Danladi declared.

He reiterated his commitment to his governorship ambition, describing his candidacy as an opportunity for Kwara North to lead the state.

The meeting ended with calls for unity among APC stakeholders, stronger political cooperation and increased mobilisation across the district ahead of the 2027 elections.

Traditional rulers present included the Emir of Lafiagi, Mohammed Kudu Kawu; the Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Shehu Omar; the Emir of Shonga, Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya; the Etsu Tsaragi, Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa; and the Emir of Okuta, Idris Abubakar Serobetete III.

Others were the Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar Derekureku IV; the Emir of Gwanara, Abdullah Sabi Idris; the Emir of Yashikira, Umar Usman Sarki; the Oba of Jebba, Abdulkadir Alabi Adebara; the Ohoro of Shao, Obalowu Job Atolagbe; and the Daudu of Bode Saadu, Aliyu Olanrongbe Gambari.