Inside Kwara APC Crisis: How AbdulRazaq’s Alleged Consensus Plot Triggered Revolt Against Tinubu’s Camp

Fresh revelations have emerged over the deepening political crisis rocking the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), exposing what insiders described as a failed political manoeuvre by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to allegedly sideline interests linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 governorship succession battle.

Multiple high-level party sources who spoke with Patriotic Insights News disclosed that the crisis escalated after an alleged behind-the-scenes attempt to produce a consensus governorship candidate loyal to the governor collapsed dramatically in Ilorin last Thursday following a coordinated boycott by governorship aspirants.

Investigations by Patriotic Insights News revealed that the controversial meeting, convened at the Banquet Hall opposite Government House, Ilorin, was initially presented to aspirants as a strategic reconciliation and consultation session ahead of the APC primaries. However, several aspirants reportedly became suspicious after intelligence filtered through that the gathering was allegedly designed to pressure them into endorsing a predetermined candidate favoured by the governor.

Out of the 16 governorship aspirants said to have obtained nomination forms, only Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) reportedly attended the meeting, while the overwhelming majority stayed away in what party insiders described as a “silent rebellion” against the governor’s succession plan.

A senior APC source familiar with the development told Patriotic Insights News that the boycott completely disrupted the governor’s calculations and exposed widening cracks within the Kwara APC structure.

“The arrangement allegedly was that once the aspirants gathered, they would be persuaded to step down in favour of the governor’s preferred aspirant under a so-called consensus arrangement. But many of them got wind of the plan and decided not to honour the invitation,” the source disclosed.

Another party insider claimed that the failed consensus project has now created fresh tension between forces loyal to Governor AbdulRazaq and political interests believed to be aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the source, President Tinubu had allegedly shown preference for Senator Saliu Mustapha as a strong contender capable of strengthening the APC’s political fortunes in Kwara ahead of 2027.

However, the governor was said to have resisted the move due to unresolved political differences with the senator.

“Those close to the discussions said the President made it clear where his interest was leaning, but the governor allegedly pushed back, insisting he could not politically work with the individual involved,” the source said.

Further findings by Patriotic Insights News indicated that part of the alleged strategy behind the failed consensus arrangement was to create the impression that Tinubu’s perceived preferred aspirant lacked widespread acceptance within the APC structure in Kwara State.

Sources disclosed that the expectation was that once the governor’s loyalist emerged through a consensus process, the Presidency would eventually be left with little choice but to accept the outcome.

But the plan reportedly collapsed after aspirants refused to participate in what some of them privately described as a “political ambush.”

The development has reportedly heightened concerns within the APC national leadership, with some stakeholders now warning that the Kwara chapter is becoming dangerously fragmented ahead of the 2027 elections.

Investigations further revealed that concerns are growing over Governor AbdulRazaq’s ability to maintain political cohesion within the ruling party despite spending nearly eight years in office.

A party chieftain who spoke anonymously alleged that the governor’s leadership style has weakened stakeholder confidence across several blocs within the APC.

“There is growing belief within sections of the party that the governor has struggled to build sustainable political relationships and broad internal trust. That is part of what is fueling the crisis,” the source stated.

The situation is also believed to be worsening due to the deepening political rivalry between Governor AbdulRazaq and Senator Saliu Mustapha.

Several APC insiders who spoke with Patriotic Insights News claimed that Senator Mustapha currently enjoys significant support among influential stakeholders within the party and among political allies close to the Presidency.

Meanwhile, the unfolding succession battle is reportedly being complicated by growing anxiety within the APC over the political resurgence of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

A senior APC figure admitted that the ruling party is increasingly worried about Saraki’s renewed grassroots influence, particularly across Kwara Central Senatorial District.

“Many people inside the APC are beginning to fear that Saraki is gradually rebuilding political structures quietly across the state. His influence is growing again, especially in Kwara Central,” the source said.

Patriotic Insights News gathered that the increasing number of governorship aspirants has further complicated the succession crisis within the party.

Those reportedly in the race include Senator Saliu Mustapha, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Mallam Yahaya Seriki, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), Olufemi Sanni, Mohammed Omar Bio, Dr. Alabi Tajudeen, Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, Tajudeen Audu AbdulKadir, Dr. Azeez Salako Muyideen, Ibrahim Mahmoud, Yetunde Bello, Mahalia Aishatu Ahman-Pategi and Prof. Olawale Suleiman.

Some aspirants reportedly became uncomfortable after the sudden expansion in the list of contenders, amid suspicions that certain aspirants may have been encouraged to join the race to influence the proposed consensus process.

One aspirant reportedly told associates that the short notice issued for the Ilorin meeting also contributed to the boycott.

Another source claimed some aspirants received intelligence that local government party officials were expected to participate in a process allegedly aimed at legitimising support for a preferred aspirant.

The controversial invitation to the meeting was reportedly signed by APC State Publicity Secretary, Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, who described the gathering as a “strategic engagement ahead of upcoming party primaries.”

Meanwhile, reliable party sources disclosed that the APC national leadership is now closely monitoring developments in Kwara amid fears that prolonged internal divisions could weaken the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For many observers, the crisis has now evolved beyond ordinary succession politics into a direct test of Governor AbdulRazaq’s political influence, the Presidency’s control over party structures, and the APC’s ability to withstand a potential opposition resurgence in Kwara State.