Kwara South APC Group Rejects Alleged Candidate Imposition, Demands Recognition of Dankaka as Senatorial Flagbearer
By Matthew Eloyi
A coalition of stakeholders, youths and women within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara South Senatorial District has called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct a transparent review of the party’s senatorial primary, insisting that Dr. Muheeba Adenike Dankaka emerged as the winner of the exercise.
The group, operating under the banner of the Kwara South APC Stakeholders, Youths and Women Support Group, made the demand in a statement issued on Saturday, alleging attempts by unnamed interests to overturn what it described as the outcome of the primary election.
The group claimed that results collated by its agents across the seven local government areas in the senatorial district showed that Dankaka secured a “clear, overwhelming and undeniable victory” during the APC primary.
It urged the party leadership to recognise Dankaka as the duly elected APC candidate for the Kwara South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the statement, the primary election reflected the collective will of party members across Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, Oke-Ero, Offa, Oyun and Ifelodun local government areas.
The group argued that any attempt to substitute the outcome of the exercise with what it described as “imposition” would undermine internal democracy and weaken confidence in the party’s electoral process.
“We strongly condemn the attempt by anti-democratic forces who believe Kwara South can be imposed upon. Kwara South is not a conquered territory. Kwara South is not for sale. Kwara South will not be dictated to,” the statement read.
The coalition also framed its demand around gender inclusion, noting that Dankaka is, according to the group, the only female aspirant contesting for a senatorial seat in Northern Nigeria.
It said denying her the party’s ticket would send a negative signal about women’s participation in politics and undermine efforts to promote greater inclusion within the APC.
“To deny Dr. Muheeba is to tell every girl in Kwara South and every woman across the North that the APC has no room for them in 2027 and beyond. We reject this exclusion,” the group stated.
The stakeholders further warned that disregarding what they described as the will of party members could discourage youths, women and loyal party supporters from participating actively in future political processes.
They argued that the credibility of the APC’s internal democratic processes would be strengthened by ensuring that the declared outcome of the primary reflected the votes cast by delegates.
The group therefore appealed to President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to immediately review the conduct and outcome of the Kwara South Senatorial Primary and recognise Dankaka as the party’s candidate.
It also called on party members and supporters to remain peaceful while pursuing what it described as justice through lawful and democratic means.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the statement, while the outcome of the Kwara South Senatorial Primary remained the subject of competing claims.