Kwara PDP woes deepen as rival factions produce two governorship candidates
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have deepened in Kwara State following the emergence of two governorship candidates from separate factions of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development follows the conduct of parallel governorship primaries by rival groups within the opposition party, resulting in the nomination of two different candidates for the same election.
While one faction had earlier announced Engineer Kale Kawu Agaka as its governorship flag bearer, another faction loyal to Kabir Turaki (SAN) on Sunday produced Alhaji Ladi Hassan as its candidate.
Reports indicate that Hassan emerged from the Turaki-led faction of the party, while Agaka secured the ticket through the camp led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, further highlighting the deep divisions within the state chapter of the PDP.
The emergence of parallel candidates has raised concerns among political observers, who fear the development could trigger a prolonged legal and political battle over which candidate will eventually be recognised by electoral authorities.
Reacting to the situation, the Kwara State Secretary of the PDP, Kayode Abdulrahman, dismissed Hassan’s emergence, alleging that the parallel primary was orchestrated by individuals outside the party to destabilise the PDP ahead of the elections.
According to Abdulrahman, Hassan had earlier obtained the party’s nomination form and participated in the official governorship primary, where he was defeated. He argued that his subsequent emergence from what he described as an unrecognised PDP faction was evidence of external interference aimed at creating confusion within the party.
Despite efforts by party stakeholders and supporters to push for reconciliation, both factions appear determined to maintain their positions. Political analysts warn that the lingering dispute could weaken the PDP’s chances of mounting a strong challenge in Kwara State, with attention now shifting to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts, which may ultimately determine who legally flies the party’s flag in the 2027 governorship election.
