AbdulRazaq can’t win any election in Kwara again

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Toyin Olosasa, has said Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq would struggle to win any election in the state if he contests again for any position whatsoever.

Mr Olosasa, a former supervisory councillor and local government party chairman, said the governor’s popularity had declined significantly, making him an unattractive candidate for any elective position.

He spoke while reacting to recent calls by some council chairmen in Kwara Central Senatorial District urging the governor to contest the senatorial seat in 2027.

According to Mr Olosasa, presenting Mr AbdulRazaq as a candidate would be risky for the APC or any other political party.

“The governor has lost legitimacy in the state. He has particularly lost it in Ilorin Emirate, where many do not see him as one of their own,” he said.

He added that the enduring influence of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in the state was partly due to perceptions that he represents a more acceptable alternative to the current governor.

Mr Olosasa further claimed that the governor’s political standing had weakened to the extent that he could lose even a councillorship election.

“As much as I hate to admit it, if the governor contests for councillorship in Adewole Ward today, he would lose to the opposition,” he said.

The APC chieftain also referenced the last local government elections, alleging that the party’s performance in Ilorin West did not reflect its actual support base.

“The APC lost in Ilorin West during the last council election, if not for what happened during collation,” he alleged.

He accused the governor of losing touch with key stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, as well as youth groups within the Ilorin Emirate.

According to him, the governor is now largely supported by a narrow circle within the party and local government structures.

Mr Olosasa urged President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership to independently assess the governor’s popularity in the state before making decisions about his political future.

“The party cannot afford to gamble with his candidacy for any elective position in Kwara at this time,” he said.

He suggested that while the governor could be considered for an appointive position at the national level after his tenure, fielding him for an election in the state would be “politically risky.”