APC chieftain urges Kwara gov to reconcile aggrieved party members

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A former All Progressives Congress senatorial aspirant in Kwara South, Sola Ajimati, on Monday called on Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently initiate reconciliation efforts within the ruling party amid growing concerns over internal divisions, unresolved primary election disputes and emerging security challenges in the state.

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In an open letter addressed to the governor, Ajimati warned that the APC in Kwara State was approaching a critical moment that required deliberate efforts to foster unity, inclusion and broader stakeholder engagement to preserve the party’s cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.

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The appeal comes amid ongoing political realignments within the state’s APC following the emergence of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu as the party’s governorship candidate, and concerns among some party members over their level of participation in key decision-making processes.

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Ajimati acknowledged AbdulRazaq’s contributions to the development of Kwara State but stressed that sustaining the gains recorded under the administration would require a more inclusive approach to party management.

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He said, “As our great party looks ahead to future electoral cycles, including governorship and national elections, and in the wake of the emergence of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the APC governorship candidate, there is an increasing concern among stakeholders regarding perceived exclusion from critical party decision-making processes.

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“While acknowledging the strides recorded under your leadership, it is imperative to emphasise that sustaining and building upon these gains will require deeper unity, broader inclusion, and more deliberate consultation with all stakeholders across the party structure.”

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Drawing lessons from political developments in other states, Ajimati cited the re-election of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji as evidence that consultation and consensus-building remain crucial ingredients for electoral success.

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He contrasted the Ekiti experience with political developments in neighbouring Osun State, where internal disagreements within the ruling party contributed to electoral setbacks.

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“The re-election of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State stands as a strong testament to the power of unity, inclusion, consultation, and sustained stakeholder engagement.

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“In contrast, the experience of Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, former Governor of Osun State, highlights the risks associated with unresolved internal disagreements, perceived exclusion, and insufficient stakeholder engagement,” he stated.

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The APC chieftain also revisited concerns surrounding the Kwara South Senatorial Primary Election conducted on May 18, 2026, in which he participated as an aspirant.

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According to him, questions remain over the conduct of the exercise and the collation of results across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

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“These concerns relate to reported irregularities, inconsistencies in results, and discrepancies observed during collation across the seven Local Government Areas of Kwara South. These matters have already been formally submitted to the appropriate party organs for review,” he said.

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Ajimati further argued that the outcome of the exercise should be subjected to a transparent review to strengthen confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

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“As it stands, the official outcome of the exercise remains subject to clarification and resolution, pending a transparent and credible review of the collation process to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of our party’s internal democracy,” he added.

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The former aspirant also referenced the political experience of former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, whose failed bid for a second term in 2018 was widely linked to internal party disagreements.

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To address the growing concerns, Ajimati urged Governor AbdulRazaq to convene a broad-based stakeholders’ meeting involving governorship and senatorial aspirants, party leaders, youth groups and other critical stakeholders.

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“I respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to convene a comprehensive stakeholders’ meeting involving governorship and senatorial aspirants, party leaders, respected youth groups, and other critical stakeholders across all levels of the party structure.

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“I further recommend the establishment of an independent reconciliation and consultation committee to engage party stakeholders, address grievances, rebuild trust, strengthen cohesion, and reinforce internal unity within the APC in Kwara State,” he stated.

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Beyond internal party matters, he expressed concern over what he described as emerging security challenges in parts of the state, stressing that unity among political actors was necessary to confront such threats effectively.

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The letter is expected to fuel ongoing conversations within the Kwara APC over party cohesion and the management of internal disputes as preparations gradually gather momentum for future electoral contests.

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