2027 Kwara Guber: Group Urges APC, PDP, Others to Pick Candidates from Ilorin

A socio-political group, Garin Alimi Ambassadors, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties to pick their governorship candidates for the 2027 Kwara State election from the Ilorin Emirate.

The call was made by the group’s Convener, Mallam Bolaji Gobir, while addressing journalists and stakeholders in Ilorin on Friday.

Gobir said the demand was based on what he described as the demographic strength, economic centrality and socio-political importance of the Ilorin Emirate zone within Kwara State.

He noted that Kwara is made up of three senatorial districts—Kwara Central, Kwara North and Kwara South—adding that the Central zone, which largely overlaps with the Ilorin Emirate local government areas, remains the state’s largest population centre and hosts the state capital.

According to him, Ilorin alone houses over one million residents and remains larger than any other settlement in the state, stressing that the population strength naturally translates into a major share of the state’s human capital and democratic representation.

He also argued that economic activity is concentrated in and around Ilorin, describing the area as the state’s commercial and financial hub with a strong presence of major banking institutions and business activities.

Gobir said the group believes that leadership continuity from the Ilorin Emirate zone would help consolidate multi-year developmental projects across the state, including digital infrastructure initiatives, urban renewal plans and other strategic investments.

He, however, stressed that the group’s position was not aimed at excluding other zones of the state, noting that the North and South also have qualified and competent individuals capable of leading.

“The advocacy for continuity of leadership from the Ilorin Emirate zone is not a call for exclusion or monopolisation. It is about stability, democratic maturity and continued socio-economic development,” he said.

Gobir added that equity in governance should be based on fairness and merit, insisting that the Ilorin Emirate continues to produce individuals with strong academic, administrative and professional credentials for leadership.

He further declared that Garin Alimi Ambassadors would support any political party that gives the Ilorin Emirate the governorship ticket, describing the move as a way to foster unity, progress and sustained development.

Gobir said the group would also reach out to other zones of the state to promote harmony and shared prosperity, urging political leaders and party stakeholders at both state and national levels to consider their position ahead of 2027.

He concluded that the call was presented with respect for the aspirations of all communities in Kwara State, while appealing for a political discourse anchored on unity, development and mutual respect.