Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has dismissed speculations that he has endorsed or plans to anoint a successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will conduct an open and merit-based primary.
The governor spoke on Tuesday in Ilorin during the party’s state congress amid growing political rumours that he had settled for a candidate from Kwara North Senatorial District to succeed him.
“For those who will contest and whoever eventually emerges, it is not about anyone anointing anybody.
“We are not here to build a dynasty; we are here to build a legacy. Whoever succeeds me will build on this foundation and strive to do better,” he said.
His comments come amid heightened consultations within the ruling party and calls in some quarters for power to shift to Kwara North after two consecutive terms from Kwara Central.
Although he did not directly address zoning, observers see his remarks as a response to claims of a predetermined succession plan.
AbdulRazaq disclosed that six governorship aspirants, including a member of the State House of Assembly, have already indicated interest in the race, describing the emerging contest as tough but healthy for internal democracy.
“When I speak of healthy competition, I mean it will be tough. Even from within our State House of Assembly, we have six governorship aspirants altogether. Moving forward, it will indeed be a healthy contest,” he said.
He urged aspirants and stakeholders to prioritise unity before and after the primaries, stressing that whoever emerges must carry others along.
“It will be healthy competition among those who aspire to succeed, and I urge whoever emerges victorious to carry along those who do not succeed in order to foster unity as one family,” he added.
The governor congratulated party members for sustaining cohesion, describing the peaceful conduct of the congress as proof of internal stability within the APC.
He also claimed that the opposition had weakened both nationally and within the state, alleging that several members of the Peoples Democratic Party had defected to the APC or moved to other platforms.
Despite the perceived dominance, AbdulRazaq said the party would not take its position for granted as preparations for the 2027 race gather momentum.
Highlighting achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, he argued that the administration had raised the development bar in the state over the past six years.
“What will the opposition campaign on— infrastructure, education, or healthcare? We have championed social development programmes across all these sectors,” he said.
Observers say the succession debate has quietly influenced political alignments across Kwara Central, South, and North in recent months, with stakeholders speculating about possible regional balancing ahead of 2027.
The governor, however, maintained that competence and party processes — not personal endorsement — would determine the eventual candidate.
“We have raised the bar in Kwara State, and our successor will take it even further,” he said.
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