Kwara APC in Panic as PDP Picks Popular Candidate from Kwara Central Engr Kale Kawu

Kwara APC in Panic as PDP Picks Popular Candidate from Kwara Central Engr Kale Kawu

The political atmosphere in Kwara State has taken a dramatic turn as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially unveiled Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu as its governorship candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election, a development that has reportedly sent shockwaves through the camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The emergence of Engr. Kale Kawu came barely days after the APC announced the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), as its governorship candidate under circumstances many party stakeholders have continued to describe as controversial.

According to party insiders, the APC governorship primary election initially held on 21st May, 2026, was convincingly won by the widely endorsed candidate, Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, MFR, before the exercise was abruptly suspended by a committee reportedly led by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. Sources within the party alleged that the suspension was influenced by a preferred zoning arrangement favoring the emergence of a candidate from Kwara North.

The development has since generated mixed reactions across political circles in the state, with many supporters of Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki expressing dissatisfaction over the handling of the primary process.

Meanwhile, at the PDP State Secretariat in Ilorin, the Chief Returning Officer, Senator Duro Faseyi, announced that Engr. Kawu secured a landslide victory in the party’s governorship primary election conducted across the 193 wards in the 16 local government areas of the state. According to the official results, Kawu polled 98,998 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Ladi Hassan, who scored 2,125 votes.

Speaking shortly before the declaration of results, Senator Faseyi commended the leadership qualities and political resilience of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for sustaining and repositioning the PDP in Kwara State despite years in opposition.

According to him, Saraki’s contributions have not only strengthened the PDP but have also impacted national development positively. He further applauded other governorship aspirants within the party for demonstrating maturity, unity, and sportsmanship throughout the primary process.

“It is now certain that the level of maturity displayed by all aspirants is a clear indication that the PDP is prepared and united for victory in 2027,” Faseyi stated.

Also speaking, the PDP State Chairman, Isa Adamu Bawa, appreciated party stakeholders, members of the State Working Committee (SWC), and aspirants for ensuring a peaceful and transparent primary election process.

In his acceptance speech, Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu promised to run an all-inclusive administration if elected governor in 2027. He assured party members and the people of Kwara State of his commitment to lifting the state to greater heights through purposeful leadership, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, and people-oriented governance.

Political observers believe the emergence of Engr. Kale Kawu, a popular figure from Kwara Central, may significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 governorship election, especially considering the internal controversies currently trailing the APC primary process.