Kwara Political Crisis Deepens: Speaker Purges Rival Loyalists In Alleged 2027 Power Play
Tension Grips APC as Owolabi and Gideon Fall Victim to Political Witch-Hunt
Kwara State’s political landscape is heating up ahead of the 2027 elections as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi, executes what many are calling a ruthless purge of lawmakers perceived to be disloyal to the ruling faction.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Kwara APC, Hon. Rasaq Owolabi (Ifelodun Constituency A) and Hon. Yisa Gideon (Edu Local Government) have been unceremoniously stripped of their committee positions—allegedly as punishment for attending Senator Soliu Mustapha’s Alubarika Mega Empowerment program.
The event, which took place weeks ago at the Niger River Basin Open Field, was attended by top political figures, including Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru. However, the presence of Owolabi and Gideon has now cost them dearly, fueling speculations that the Speaker’s move is part of a larger plot to eliminate perceived threats ahead of 2027.
Senator Soliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, has reportedly been under increasing pressure from political forces loyal to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is believed to be grooming Speaker Yakubu Danladi as his anointed successor. With Mustapha’s growing influence and rumored gubernatorial ambitions, insiders claim the state government is waging a silent war against his loyalists.
Hon. Owolabi, a ranking lawmaker and former Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Environment, lost his position immediately after the Alubarika event, while Hon. Gideon, a known ally of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki—another rumored 2027 contender—has also suffered a similar fate.
As the Speaker tightens his grip, fears are mounting that more lawmakers and party chieftains could be targeted in what many are calling an orchestrated clampdown.
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