A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State and Dan’Iya of Kaiama, Prince Haliru Dantsoho, has warned that the party risks losing the 2027 governorship election if it zones its ticket to Kwara North.
Dantsoho made this known on TVC Primetime programme today while explaining his decision to step down for a candidate from Kwara Central Senatorial District shortly before declaring his ambition.
According to him, political realities in the state do not favour Kwara North at the moment, stressing that electoral success is determined by numbers and strategic alignment, not sentiments.
“Politics is about numbers, not emotions or social media agitation,” he said. “When you need something from the majority, you appeal, persuade, and build consensus—you don’t confront them.”
He noted that Kwara Central remains the most populous voting bloc in the state, followed by Kwara North and then Kwara South, arguing that any strategy that ignores this reality could be costly for the ruling party.
Dantsoho recalled that he had long championed the agitation for power shift to Kwara North, particularly during his time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as State Youth Leader between 2017 and 2023.
He said efforts were made in 2023 to secure the PDP governorship ticket for the North, which eventually produced a candidate, but lamented that the zone failed to rally behind its own aspirant.
“If the agitation for Kwara North governorship was truly about collective interest and not personal ambition, that was the best time everyone should have united, regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
He, however, criticised what he described as a confrontational approach by some proponents of the zoning agenda, warning that antagonising other regions—particularly Kwara Central—would only weaken the North’s chances.
“Instead of appealing to stakeholders, what we see today is confrontation, especially on social media. That is not how to win political support,” he added.
The APC stalwart also pointed to deep divisions among aspirants from Kwara North, listing names such as Engr. Yakubu Danladi, Senator Sadiq Umar, Makama Lafiagi and Daudu, whose supporters, he said, are locked in constant rivalry.
“By now, the North should have produced a consensus candidate, but the divisions are too deep. Each camp believes the other would lead the party to defeat,” he said.
Dantsoho further warned that the opposition PDP could capitalise on the situation by fielding a candidate from Kwara Central if the APC zones its ticket to the North.
“If APC zones to the North and PDP presents a Central candidate, APC will lose—let’s be honest,” he stated.
He explained that his decision to step down for a candidate outside his senatorial district was informed by his desire to protect the party’s chances in 2027 and avoid internal conflicts that could weaken its electoral prospects.
“I am a party man, and I understand what it takes to win elections. I don’t want APC to lose; I want us to remain in government,” he said.
Dantsoho also dismissed criticisms that his action was driven by personal interest, insisting that political decisions must sometimes be guided by pragmatism rather than sentiment.
The APC chieftain maintained that without unity, strategic engagement, and broader political alignment, the chances of Kwara North producing the next governor remain slim.
Leave a Reply