As Other Aspirants Join The Race
The race for the 2027 governorship in Kwara is heating up as the term of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq slowly comes to an end. Numerous potential successors are emerging, with seasoned and new political figures testing the waters through subtle mobilization and, in some cases, direct campaigning.
Rumors are circulating about possible successors to the governor, with names being mentioned in the corridors of power. These candidates include close associates of the governor as well as party insiders who could catch everyone off guard. The question remains: who will take over from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in 2027?
Although the governor and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have yet to formally endorsed a candidate, but many are positioning themselves, which is heating the political atmosphere in the state.
One prominent figure is Salihu Danladi, the 40-year-old Speaker of the House of Assembly. He could receive Governor AbdulRazaq’s blessing in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Danladi shares a strong bond with the governor, to the extent that they could be mistaken for brothers. Widely regarded as AbdulRazaq’s anointed protégé, Danladi’s unwavering loyalty has been evident, particularly as he has defended the administration during controversial amendments to the Freedom of Information law.
However, his close association with AbdulRazaq raises concerns about perceptions of “godfatherism,” a sentiment many in the state are wary of, especially following the Otoge movement’s challenge to the Saraki political dynasty in the 2019 elections. Whether Danladi can step out of the governor’s shadow and win the public’s trust remains a crucial question.
Many are curious as to why he enjoys such favor with the governor and why he has become his eyes and ears. Not everyone knows that Danladi is a well-regarded engineer and a grassroots politician. He was first elected as Speaker of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly in 2019, and he was reelected in 2023 at the young age of 34. He is a second-term member of the state assembly, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to represent Ilesha-Gwanara in the Baruten state constituency.
He attended Baruten Local Government Education Authority Primary School in Gwanara from 1988 to 1993, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate. He then proceeded to Baptist Grammar School in Okuta, located in the Baruten Local Government Area, and later attended the renowned St. Anthony Secondary School in Ilorin, obtaining his O’level certificate in 2001. Influenced by the strong emphasis on education in his family—his father being a pioneer of Western education in the erstwhile Old Borgu Kingdom—Hon. Danladi-Salihu’s passion for learning led him to establish BLGEA Primary School in Gwanara. He later attended Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he pursued a National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from 2003 to 2008.
After establishing himself in the engineering profession and not wanting to be disadvantaged in the debate between HND and University Degrees, Danladi furthered his education by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, in 2016. Upon completing his degree, he answered the call to serve his nation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the National Water Resources Institute in Kaduna.
Hon. Danladi-Salihu began his political journey through student activism, where he gained valuable leadership experience. He served as the Secretary of the National Union of Baruten Students at Kaduna State Polytechnic during the 2005/2006 academic session and was also the Secretary of the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS) at the same institution for the 2007/2008 session.
In 2011, he served as the Kwara North Coordinator for the Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO) when President Muhammadu Buhari contested the presidential election under the platform of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC). In 2015, he was the Kwara North Youth Coordinator for Engr. Yinusa Yahaya (Bulldozer) Campaign Organization under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the general election.
Danladi-Salihu worked at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, from 2010 to 2018 before voluntarily resigning to better serve his community. He contested the Ilesha-Gwanara state constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly (KWHA) under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election. To the glory of God Almighty, he won and is currently the Speaker of the 9th Kwara Assembly.
Since his election as the representative for the Ilesha-Gwanara state constituency and as the Speaker of the 9th Kwara State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi-Salihu has established himself as a ‘game changer’ and a new ‘sheriff in town’ by delivering quality legislation. Under his leadership, approximately fifty (50) bills have been passed into law. Many motions have also been critically debated and resolved, while a wide range of Matters of General Public Importance have been discussed. In terms of quality representation, no less than 250 kilometers of roads have been improved in his constituency. Additionally, to address water scarcity among his constituents, he has provided over three hundred boreholes and renovated numerous classrooms and health centers. He has also focused on the human capacity development of women and youth in his area. These achievements, among many others, contribute to his prominence among his peers.
In the upcoming election, while Salihu Danladi is a serious contender, there are five other politicians who might also vie for the governorship and potentially outsmart one another:
Yahaya Seriki is another prominent candidate. This influential politician serves as a backup option. Young, wealthy, and politically loyal, many believe that this young man could be AbdulRazaq’s Plan B, especially if the ticket is not zoned to the northern part of the state. A mining mogul who has quietly invested in politics since 2015, Seriki is rumored to have the backing of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son—a factor seen as both an asset and a potential liability.
Saliu Mustapha is currently in the spotlight. Often regarded as the most popular politician in Kwara today, Senator Saliu Mustapha, known as the Turaki of Ilorin and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, possesses a strong grassroots following and is well-regarded beyond his senatorial district. With his blend of youthful appeal, philanthropy, and strategic visibility, he makes a strong case for the APC’s continued dominance. However, tensions with the governor due to conflicting visions for succession could jeopardize his ambitions, especially if party resources are used against him.
Lanre Issa-Onilu remains hopeful. This seasoned journalist and the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has considerable capacity and experience. However, his weak grassroots connections and a reportedly strained relationship with the governor could hinder his chances unless he secures solid external political support.
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) might be the dark horse in this race. In Kwara South, there is growing support for Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Although he has not officially declared his candidacy, advocates for a “Fagbemi-for-Governor” campaign argue that this is an opportuned moment for the Yoruba-speaking segment of the state to elect another governor. Nevertheless, Fagbemi’s emergence may raise complex questions regarding zoning and political structure, both of which are significant in the current Kwara political landscape.
Abubakar Suleiman is another candidate being tipped. As the Director-General of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman brings both national and academic prominence to the race. A former minister under President Jonathan, his defection from the PDP to the APC has shifted the political dynamics leading up to 2027. Abubakar is expected to leverage his relationships with the National Assembly’s leadership to make an impact in the political arena. He has reportedly garnered support from former PDP leaders who have defected to the APC, which could strengthen his political base. However, many APC members still view him as a “Saraki mole,” a label that could be challenging to shake off in a politically divided Kwara, where the Saraki name elicits both admiration and resentment.
Lastly, Attahiru Manko might serve as an emergency backup. A recent defector from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Manko is among the emerging players to watch in this evolving political landscape.
As the race develops, it will be interesting to see how these candidates navigate the complexities of Kwara’s political scene and their individual relationships with Governor AbdulRazaq.
ISAAC ABIMBADE
(08155107955)
