Tension in Kwara as APC screens out 105 Assembly aspirants

Tension has reportedly heightened within the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kwara State after no fewer than 105 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the State House of Assembly election were screened out ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

According to a document sighted at the APC state secretariat on Thursday, several serving lawmakers seeking second and third terms were among those declared “uncleared” by the party’s screening committee.

 

The affected aspirants were listed in a document titled “All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2027 General Election.”

 

Out of the 158 aspirants who obtained nomination forms for the State House of Assembly election under the APC, only 53 were reportedly cleared to continue in the race.

 

Among lawmakers from Kwara Central Senatorial District seeking re-election, all were cleared except the member representing Alanamu/Ajikobi Constituency, Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu.

 

In Kwara South, several incumbent lawmakers also failed to secure clearance.

 

The lawmakers representing Omupo and Share/Oke-Ode constituencies in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Ganiyu Salahu and Hon. Owolabi Rasaq, respectively, were screened out despite seeking another term.

 

Also declared uncleared were Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Rasaq and Hon. Yusuf Gbenga, representing Oke-Ero, Isin and Essa/Shawo/Igboidun constituencies respectively.

 

However, lawmakers from Oyun Local Government Area, including the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Ojo Oyebode, were cleared by the screening panel.

 

In Kwara North, the two serving lawmakers from Moro Local Government Area seeking re-election also scaled through the exercise successfully.

 

The member representing Edu Constituency, Hon. Issa Gideon, who is currently under suspension by the House over alleged misconduct and actions said to have brought the legislature into disrepute, was also not cleared for a second-term bid.

 

Only the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and the member representing Ekiti Constituency, Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel, did not obtain nomination forms for re-election into the Assembly.

 

Danladi-Salihu is considered one of the leading contenders for the APC governorship ticket after reportedly participating in the party’s governorship screening in Abuja ahead of the primaries.

 

Gabriel is said to have obtained a nomination form to contest for the Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

 

Speaking before the screening exercise commenced, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Success Musa, said the large number of aspirants reflected the growing popularity of the APC in Kwara State.

 

“I learnt we have 158 aspirants for the House of Assembly alone. That is democracy. That is what APC represents. It is the leadership shown by the chairman and our governor,” he said.

 

The Kwara State House of Assembly currently has 24 members representing constituencies across the 16 local government areas of the state.