‘Don’t Hand Kwara South to One Bloc,’ APC Stakeholders Beg Tinubu, Demand Dankaka’s Recognition
‘Don’t Hand Kwara South to One Bloc,’ APC Stakeholders Beg Tinubu, Demand Dankaka’s Recognition
By Matthew Eloyi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the growing controversy over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket in Kwara South, following allegations of candidate imposition and political marginalisation by a coalition of party stakeholders.
The call was made on Saturday by the Kwara South APC Stakeholders, Youths & Women Support Group, which appealed to the President to halt what it described as an attempt to concentrate all National Assembly representation in one political bloc and one local government area.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the group alleged that the current arrangement would leave the Ibolo and Ekiti blocs without representation in the National Assembly, contrary to the principles of equity and inclusiveness.
According to the group, Kwara South is made up of three political blocs—Ibolo, Igbomina and Ekiti—and seven local government areas, arguing that the senatorial seat and the two House of Representatives seats should be fairly distributed among the blocs.
It claimed that the alleged emergence of candidates from the Igbomina bloc for all three National Assembly positions, with Irepodun Local Government Area reportedly producing both the senatorial candidate and one House of Representatives candidate, would create political imbalance within the district.
The stakeholders warned that the development, if allowed to stand, could trigger disaffection among party members and jeopardise the APC’s electoral chances in Kwara South during the 2027 general elections.
The group also reaffirmed its support for Dr. Muheebah Adenike Dankaka, OON, insisting that she legitimately emerged winner of the party’s senatorial primary and should be recognised as the APC’s candidate for the district.
It argued that replacing her would not only undermine internal democracy but also discourage women from seeking elective office, noting that Dankaka was the only female aspirant for a Senate seat from Northern Nigeria during the exercise.
Appealing directly to President Tinubu, the stakeholders urged him to safeguard what they described as the party’s democratic ideals by ensuring justice and fairness in the selection process.
“Mr. President should not allow actions capable of dividing the APC in Kwara South to prevail. Equity, justice and respect for the will of party members must remain the foundation of the party,” the statement said.
The group demanded the reversal of the alleged candidate imposition and called on the APC leadership to recognise Dankaka as the party’s authentic senatorial candidate.
As of press time, neither the Kwara State chapter of the APC nor officials allegedly linked to the controversy had issued a response to the claims contained in the statement.
