APC replaces Kwara deputy gov candidate ahead of 2027

Nigerianewslite

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has replaced its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election, naming the state House of Assembly member for the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon. Oluwaseun David Oguniyi, as the new running mate of its governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

Oguniyi, popularly known as Adato, is from Offa Local Government Area of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier listed Bello Mubarak Salau as the APC deputy governorship candidate.

However, the change has attracted criticism from the youth group 52-Youth Coalition (52-YC), which described the decision as unusual.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Bashir Amid, the coalition questioned the decision to field two serving members of the state House of Assembly as the APC’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates.

It alleged that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the APC leadership had settled on Salihu as the governorship candidate and Oguniyi as his running mate, while positioning another member of the Assembly to become Speaker.

The group also questioned the choice of serving legislators for the two top executive positions in the state.

It said the development had raised concerns about the depth of executive experience available to the APC ticket.

The coalition further argued that the decision had overlooked other qualified indigenes of Kwara State with experience in the private sector, academia and other professional fields.

It contrasted the APC ticket with that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, according to the group, features Engr. Kale Kawu as its governorship candidate and Rev. Fawenu as his running mate.