EXCLUSIVE: AbdulRazaq quietly nominates Danladi to Tinubu as preferred successor, sources say

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has privately put forward the name of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, as his preferred successor, according to multiple people familiar with the matter, signaling an early and largely behind-the-scenes effort to shape the state’s next governorship race.

The governor recently conveyed his position to President Bola Tinubu, arguing that power should rotate to Kwara North, a district that has not produced a governor since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, the people said.

The move, described by insiders as calculated but not unexpected, places Danladi among the leading contenders in what is shaping up to be a closely watched succession battle. Another prominent figure from the district, Senator Sadiq Umar, is also considered a strong aspirant.

“He went to the president with the name of the speaker as his preferred successor and the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” one senior party figure said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. “But some aspirants already know, and they are working their own channels in Abuja. The governor may have influence, but he may not have the final say.”

People familiar with the president’s thinking say no decision has been made. Instead, Tinubu is weighing competing interests and recommendations from within his political circle and beyond.

“A prominent figure from Kwara North met the president, who mentioned that the governor had submitted a name,” one source close to a leading aspirant said. “That message got back to Kwara, and that is how we first became aware. Since then, there has been quiet preparation for different outcomes.”

This development has introduced a layer of tension within the ruling party in the state, where multiple hopefuls continue to campaign.

Some aspirants, who are already aware, say the lack of transparency is fueling frustration and might eventually affect the party’s chances.

“If a decision has already been tilted in a particular direction, why allow everyone else to keep spending and mobilizing?” another party insider said. “It raises questions. But the race is still open.”

“If you look closely, you will notice a shift. In the past, aspirants made a point of aligning publicly with the governor, even putting him on their campaign banners. But look at what happened in Abuja during the convention. Very few of them acknowledged him, and even their supporters were not chanting his name,” another top source said.

“That tells you something. Many of the aspirants already know what is going on, and they are now exploring other ways to reach the president in Abuja. At this point, they are operating independently. The governor’s position no longer carries the same weight for them.”

Competing power centres

Even as AbdulRazaq advances his preference, other influential figures around the president are said to be backing alternative candidates, signaling the fragmented nature of the contest.

Among them is elder statesman Bisi Akande, who is believed to favour a candidate from Kwara South. Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu and other younger political actors are said to be rallying around a different aspirant, including outreach to the president’s wife.

There are also indications that elements of the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) bloc are quietly promoting another, less visible contender.

“The governor is not the only one projecting a candidate,” one source said. “There are multiple interests at play. In the end, the president is likely to prioritize electability and party cohesion over individual preferences.”

Why Abuja matters

The maneuvering reflects a lesson many politicians in the ruling party say they learned in 2019, when AbdulRazaq himself secured the party’s ticket despite running a campaign that, at the time, appeared less visible within the state.

While rivals focused on grassroots mobilization, media outreach and local alliances, AbdulRazaq invested heavily in building relationships in Abuja and Lagos, positioning himself within the national power structure.

When the party made its decision, those connections proved decisive. A coalition of former rivals eventually rallied behind him, helping to unseat the long-dominant political structure associated with Bukola Saraki. That episode has since reshaped political strategy in the state.

Today, aspirants are again looking beyond local structures, directing attention to Abuja, where party leaders and influential stakeholders are expected to play a defining role.

Who is Salihu-Danladi

Danladi, the speaker at the centre of the governor’s reported endorsement, represents a new generation of politicians whose influence has grown rapidly in recent years.

Before 2019, he was a relatively unknown young academic at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. His rise to the top legislative seat in the state was aided by a zoning arrangements that opened the door for speakership from Kwara North.

Since then, he has consolidated his position within the state assembly and the broader party structure, building a locally strong network across the state.

Several party insiders describe him as one of the most grounded candidates in terms of grassroots organization, as well as a key figure within the governor’s inner circle.

His supporters also point to the growing call for zoning the governorship to Kwara North as a factor that could strengthen his candidacy.

For now, the race remains fluid. The governor’s preference may have set the tone, but as multiple sources emphasised, the final decision is likely to emerge from a broader negotiation among Abuja’s most powerful political actors.

None of the top aspirants responded to requests for comment.