Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has formally endorsed Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor in the forthcoming governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Abdulrazaq said the decision followed what he described as extensive consultations with party leaders and structures across the state. He noted that the endorsement was made in the interest of continuity, party cohesion, and sustained governance direction in Kwara State.
The governor described Yahaya Seriki as a youthful and influential political figure with strong grassroots connections, significant mobilization capacity, and wide acceptance among party stakeholders. According to him, the aspirant possesses the qualities required to build on the administration’s achievements over the past seven years.
He further stated that while the endorsement reflects his personal and political preference, it does not amount to the disqualification or dismissal of other aspirants currently in the race. Abdulrazaq emphasized that the APC primary remains open to all qualified contenders.
The governor also appealed to party members and delegates to consider Seriki’s candidacy as a unifying option ahead of the primary scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026. He stressed that the decision was aimed at strengthening internal harmony within the party rather than imposing exclusion on other aspirants.
Abdulrazaq acknowledged the presence of multiple strong contenders in the race, noting that about 16 aspirants are vying for the party’s ticket. He described them as capable individuals who have contributed in various ways to the growth and stability of the APC in Kwara State.
According to him, the endorsement should not be interpreted as an attack on the ambitions or competence of other contestants, but rather as a political judgment intended to consolidate support around a single candidate for electoral competitiveness.
He also commended all aspirants for what he called their discipline and commitment throughout the political build-up, adding that their collective contributions reflect confidence in the APC’s governance record in the state.
The endorsement is expected to significantly shape the dynamics of the APC governorship primary in Kwara State, where internal consultations and bloc alignments have intensified ahead of the party’s selection process.
The APC, which remains the ruling party in All Progressives Congress, is expected to conduct its governorship primary in Kwara State on Thursday as scheduled, with stakeholders closely watching how the governor’s position will influence delegate decisions.
Kwara State, a key political battleground in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has in recent months witnessed increased political engagements as aspirants intensify consultations within party structures ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle. Kwara State remains central to APC’s strategy in the region, given its electoral significance and governance profile.
The governor’s endorsement now places Yahaya Seriki in a strengthened position going into the primary, though party observers note that the final outcome will still depend on delegate voting and internal negotiations within the APC structure.
