AbdulRazaq’s Open Endorsement of Yahaya Seriki Triggers Fresh Crisis Talks in Kwara APC
The development has sparked heated reactions among party stakeholders and political observers, with many already comparing the unfolding scenario to the controversial political succession that produced Usman Ododo under former governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State.
Insiders within the APC say the governor’s declaration has unsettled several aspirants and influential party loyalists who believe the race may have been unofficially decided long before the party primaries.
“This is no longer ordinary political consultation. What many people are seeing is a direct attempt to handpick a successor,” a senior APC stakeholder who requested anonymity disclosed.
Another party chieftain described the development as “dangerous for internal democracy,” warning that the APC risks creating avoidable cracks within its structure if dissenting voices are ignored.
“Kwara people fought against political imposition for years. It will be ironic if the same thing begins to happen under a government that benefited from that struggle,” the source said.
The endorsement has also reportedly generated quiet anger among some party loyalists who believe several experienced politicians within the party are being sidelined in favour of what they described as a “pre-arranged political project.”
Political analysts say the situation is gradually creating the impression that Governor AbdulRazaq may be attempting to replicate the “Bello-to-Ododo template” witnessed in Kogi State, where the outgoing governor’s influence reportedly played a decisive role in determining his successor.
“The signals coming from Kwara are becoming too obvious to ignore,” a political observer in Ilorin said.
“When a sitting governor openly projects one aspirant years before the election, naturally people will begin to question whether the primary election will truly be free and fair.”
Another analyst warned that the development could trigger internal rebellion within the APC if not properly managed.
“You cannot continue to preach democracy while creating the impression that the ticket already belongs to one person. That perception alone is dangerous,” he added.
Meanwhile, supporters of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki have defended the endorsement, insisting that he remains qualified to contest for the governorship position and enjoys political acceptance across different parts of the state.
They also argued that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, like every political leader, reserves the right to openly support any aspirant of his choice.
However, opposition voices within the APC insist that the controversy goes beyond endorsement and touches on the larger issue of whether Kwara’s political future will be determined through open democratic competition or the influence of a powerful political bloc.
As consultations and alignments continue ahead of 2027, the growing tension surrounding the alleged succession arrangement is already shaping up to become one of the biggest political debates within the ruling party in Kwara State.
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