2027: 15 APC lawmakers to miss 11th Kwara Assembly
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
15 members of the Kwara State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not return to the 11th Assembly after the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The affected lawmakers will miss out on another term for various reasons, including losing their party tickets to other aspirants, suspensions, defections and appointments to other political positions, while some have moved on to contest for seats at the federal level.
Among them is the Speaker of the Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, who has emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate in Kwara State for the 2027 elections, while Ogunniyi David, representing Balogun/Ojomu Constituency, has been picked as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
In other constituencies, Abolarin Gabriel, who sought the APC ticket for the Ekiti/Irepodun/Osi/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency but lost, has been replaced by Olujide Samuel, while Lawal Suliamon secured the ticket ahead of Ganiyu Salahu in Igbaja/Ifelodun Constituency. Similarly, Oyinloye Dairo emerged as the APC candidate for Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, replacing the incumbent, Owolabi Rasaq.
In Lafiagi/Edu Constituency, Buhari Saddiq has secured the APC ticket in place of Saba Yisa Gideon, who was suspended from the party over alleged anti-party activities and has since defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest on its platform. Stephen Awoyale will replace Omotosho Rasaq as the party’s candidate for Isin Constituency, while Garba Yaru Umar emerged as the candidate for Gweria/Bani/Adana Constituency in place of Ahmed Saidu Baba.
Meanwhile, Usman Zakari defeated Abdullahi Danbaba for the APC ticket in Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency, while Ahmed Yakubu is the party’s candidate for Okuta/Yashikira Constituency, replacing Salihu Baba. In Ilorin Northwest Constituency, Olowokere Bolaji secured the ticket ahead of Olatundun Babatunde, while Omotosho Mutiat emerged as the APC candidate for Shawo/Essa/Offa Constituency, replacing Yusuf Gbanga.
The list also shows that Olayinka Fafoluyi will contest for the APC in place of Olushola Odetundun, who was suspended alongside Saba Yisa Gideon and has since defected to the PDP. In Patigi Constituency, Aliyu Dangana defeated incumbent Musa Kareem to secure the ticket, while Bakare Latifat emerged as the APC candidate for Oke-Ero Constituency, replacing Olajure Bamigboye. Giwa Musemil, meanwhile, will contest for Balogun/Ojomu Constituency following Ogunniyi David’s selection as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
The development means that only nine of the 24 incumbent APC lawmakers, all first-term legislators, are expected to seek re-election under the party in 2027, while the remaining 15 will not return to the Assembly on the APC platform. However, their absence from the party’s candidate list does not necessarily mean they will all leave elective politics, as some may pursue other offices or contest under different political parties.
