Group urges PDP to zone governorship ticket to Ilorin South, endorses Omar Bolaji Gambari

Stakeholders and concerned members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State have called for the zoning of the party’s 2027 governorship ticket to Ilorin South Local Government Area, citing the need for equity, justice and fairness.

The group, under the aegis of Kwara Elite Advocates for Good Governance, made the call on Saturday at a press briefing in Ilorin.

Speaking through its Secretary, Ahmed Bolaji Babatunde, the group said a review of the PDP’s political history in the state since 1999 shows a pattern in the distribution of its governorship ticket across different parts of Kwara.

According to the group, the emergence of former Governor Mohammed Lawal from Ilorin East, as well as the administrations of Bukola Saraki from Ilorin West and Abdulfatah Ahmed from Ifelodun, reflects efforts to balance political representation within the party.

It also noted that in 2019, the PDP zoned its governorship ticket to Asa Local Government Area as part of efforts to promote inclusiveness and broaden participation within its ranks.

The group added that the party’s most recent candidate, Shuaib Yahaya, who hails from Edu Local Government Area, further demonstrated its commitment to presenting credible candidates across the state.

However, it expressed concern that Ilorin South Local Government Area has yet to produce a PDP governorship candidate, despite its electoral strength and loyalty to the party.

“It is therefore both just and necessary that the PDP zones its 2027 governorship ticket to Ilorin South Local Government Area,” the statement said.

The group argued that such a move would correct perceived imbalances, strengthen internal cohesion, and boost confidence among party supporters.

It also called on the leader of the PDP in Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to provide guidance on the matter, noting that his leadership would be crucial in ensuring fairness and unity within the party.

The group maintained that zoning the ticket to Ilorin South would reinforce the PDP’s principles of inclusiveness and position the party strongly ahead of the 2027 elections.

On the heels of its advocacy, however, the group presented Mallam Omar Bolaji Gambari as an ideal candidate who, according to it, has contributed significantly to the development of his people.

“Our preferred candidate is Mallam Omar Bolaji Gambari, and we believe that if given the opportunity, he will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” it added.