2027: Kwara TOP backs Tinubu, Mustapha, Jiya, says 20,000 grassroot canvassers ready

TOP remains APC but will form alliances with other parties: Jawondo

The Otoge Progressives (TOP), the political movement that emerged from the aggrieved APC bloc formerly known as G15, has unveiled 20,000 grassroots canvassers to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates it is backing ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group said the volunteers would be registered and deployed across polling units in Kwara State to mobilise voters and educate them on the voting process.

TOP, which recently rebranded from G15, comprises aggrieved APC stakeholders, including former governorship aspirants, National Assembly members, party elders and grassroots politicians. The movement has said its expansion was intended to accommodate a broader coalition of stakeholders committed to internal democracy and the ideals associated with the 2019 Otoge movement.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 20,000 grassroots canvassers, former Kwara State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Salman Jawondi, SAN, said the group remained committed to supporting Tinubu’s re-election while forming alliances with politicians and parties willing to work with it.

“We will vote for Tinubu. We form alliance with those ready to work with us. We are APC and we remain strongly in APC,” Jawondi said.

He, however, disclosed that some members of the coalition had obtained tickets on the platforms of other political parties, suggesting that the group’s support for Tinubu would not necessarily translate into support for APC candidates at all levels.

“Some of us have become candidates with PDP. We have gotten ticket for Saliu Mustapha and Jiya Kolo. We still expect to get for others,” he said.

The development reflects the political strategy adopted by TOP since its emergence, with the movement backing Tinubu for president while leaving room for alliances across party lines for other elective positions. The group had earlier authorised its leadership to explore alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

Jawondi said the coalition would formally register the 20,000 volunteers and deploy them to polling units, where they would mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the group.

He also criticised the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alleging that government projects and economic opportunities had not sufficiently benefited ordinary residents.

“We have 10 projects along Ahmadu Bello Way, none is benefiting the locals. Who is handling the contracts?” he asked.

His comments came against the backdrop of TOP’s growing opposition to candidates backed by the AbdulRazaq administration. The movement has previously rejected the governor’s candidates and accused the administration of undermining internal democracy, while insisting that its campaign is driven by what it describes as the need for more inclusive leadership in the state.

Also speaking at the event, Chief James Ayeni of the Kwara South APC Elders Forum criticised the AbdulRazaq administration and said members of the coalition would work for candidates endorsed by TOP.

Ayeni said many political actors had expected a different outcome after the 2019 election but were now dissatisfied with the direction of the state.

“We don’t need now that we are going from frying pan to fire. AbdulRazaq government is worse. We are not going back. We will be working for all TOP members,” he said.