Turmoil hits Kwara chapter of PDP with emergence of dual gubernatorial contenders

In Kwara State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a political crisis under the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki, with two factional gubernatorial candidates emerging: Alh Ladi Hassan from the Aminu-Turaki led faction and Engineer Kale Kawu Agaka from the Saraki-Wike faction.

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Engineer Kale Kawu Agaka was announced as the governorship flag bearer via consensus by the Saraki-led leadership, which is tied to the Wike faction, on the penultimate Sunday, while Alh Ladi Hassan emerged as the Turaki-led gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Kwara state yesterday.

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According to the state secretary of the PDP, Kayode Abdulrahman, the factional PDP governorship candidate was sponsored by non-PDP members in the state to destabilise the party, and Mr Ladi Hassan had previously participated in the party's governorship primaries where he lost.

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Kayode Abdulrahman stated that for Mr Ladi Hassan to have emerged as a governorship candidate in a faction of the PDP not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suggests that he was sponsored by people outside the party, and Abdulrahman expressed confidence that they would not succeed.

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Alh Ladi Hassan confirmed the development and added that his candidacy was affirmed after the primary of the Taminu-Turaki led faction held in Abuja, where he emerged through affirmation.

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Political observers have warned that the split in the PDP could severely undermine the party's ability to present a united front in Kwara, a state the opposition is keen to reclaim, and have begun calling for urgent reconciliation.

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With both factions refusing to back down, attention is now turning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts to determine which candidate, if any, will legally represent the PDP in the 2027 governorship race.

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The latest development is expected to have significant implications for the political landscape in Kwara State as preparations for the general elections gather momentum.