Kwara 2027: TOP unveils Rainbow Coalition, declares support for Tinubu, Saliu Mustapha, others

The Otoge Progressives (T.O.P), a coalition of prominent political leaders and stakeholders in Kwara State, has formally launched the Kwara State Chapter of the National Rainbow Coalition, a novel multiparty political arrangement bringing together politicians, stakeholders and grassroots structures from different political platforms around a common presidential objective while allowing participating blocs to retain their respective political identities and pursue other electoral choices.

The event, held at Amba Space, Fate, Ilorin, brought together political leaders, supporters and stakeholders from across Kwara State.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Barrister Salman Jawondi, SAN, reaffirmed the coalition’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, saying it was open to alliances across party lines.

Jawondi said the group remained firmly in the APC while collaborating with politicians and parties that shared its interests.

“We will vote for Tinubu. We form alliances with those ready to work with us. We are APC and we remain strongly in APC,” he said.

He also disclosed that some members had secured tickets on other political platforms, including Senator Saliu Mustapha and Kolo Baba Jiya, while efforts were ongoing for others.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Kwara APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Ayeni, criticised the AbdulRazaq administration, saying the coalition would support all candidates endorsed by TOP.

“We are not going from frying pan to fire. AbdulRazaq’s government is worse. We are not going back; we will work for all TOP members,” he said.

For his part, former Kwara Central Senator, Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, dismissed claims of divisions within TOP, saying all members of the group remained united as they prepared for the 2027 elections.

He added that the group would pursue a “rainbow” political strategy in 2027 by supporting candidates across different political parties while backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters at the event, Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central at the National Assembly, challenged Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to a public debate, urging him to stop using aides and political associates to respond to his criticisms.

Mustapha alleged that the governor had frustrated some of his constituency projects in an attempt to undermine his performance, but said he was ready to publicly present his achievements and plans for Kwara Central.

He also said the political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections would be driven by the collective interest of the people rather than the ambitions of individual politicians.

“We will reset the equation in 2027. It is not about me, Saraki or Kawu; it is about the collective interest of my people,” he said.

The senator further urged supporters of the coalition to remain united and focused, saying the emerging political arrangement was aimed at strengthening the voice of the people and ensuring that their interests remained central to the 2027 electoral process.

The launch ended with renewed calls for unity among members of the coalition and a commitment to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election and other candidates endorsed by TOP ahead of the 2027 general elections.