Hyacinth Eku
Abuja
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has endorsed Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki (MFR) as his preferred successor for the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial ticket, just days before the party’s primaries scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The endorsement, announced on May 19, 2026, followed extensive consultations with APC structures and leadership across the state. Abdulrazaq said the move was aimed at ensuring cohesion and continuity within the party ahead of the general elections.
In his statement, the governor described Seriki as young, pro-people, astute, broad-minded, and a strong political mobilizer with significant goodwill across Kwara. He expressed confidence that Seriki was the right choice for the state at this time.
Abdulrazaq stressed that the endorsement does not prevent other aspirants from contesting. He urged party members and leaders to support Seriki for the sake of unity, while confirming that the primaries would proceed as planned.
The governor framed the decision as a strategic response to a crowded field of 16 aspirants. He noted that only one candidate can emerge for the party ticket and that the endorsement was intended to streamline the process without discrediting other contenders.
He also commended all aspirants for their discipline and capacity, praising them for building on what he called the undeniable achievements of his administration over the last seven years. Abdulrazaq said their contributions had strengthened the APC in Kwara State.
The endorsement comes after Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman announced his withdrawal from the race in a public letter dated earlier this week. Sulaiman said the decision followed consultations and was guided by responsibility and the greater good of the state.
In his letter, Sulaiman reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to support the party’s success at all levels. He thanked supporters for standing with him and said his withdrawal did not end the shared commitment to building a better Kwara.
Political observers see the two developments as part of a coordinated effort to consolidate the APC ahead of the primaries. Sulaiman’s exit is widely viewed as clearing the way for the governor’s preferred candidate.
With Seriki now carrying the governor’s backing and Sulaiman out of the contest, the APC in Kwara appears to be moving toward a unified front less than 48 hours before the primaries. The party’s direction will be tested when delegates cast their votes on May 21.
