I’m set for APC governorship primary on Thursday, says Saliu Mustapha

…dismisses reports of withdrawal, defeat in senatorial race

Senator Saliu Mustapha, a frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, has dismissed reports claiming that he withdrew from or was defeated in the party’s ongoing senatorial primary election in Ilorin.

Mustapha said he never contested the Kwara Central Senatorial District primary election and therefore could neither withdraw from nor lose an election he did not participate in.

The senator, who currently represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, stated that he only obtained nomination forms to contest the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He added that he also participated in the party’s governorship screening exercise held in Abuja earlier this month.

According to the statement, Senator Mustapha is preparing to participate in the APC governorship primary election scheduled to hold across Kwara State on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

He urged his supporters and APC members across the state to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise during the exercise.

Mustapha also expressed confidence that party delegates and stakeholders would consider him worthy of flying the APC flag in the 2027 governorship election.

He, however, said that if the outcome turns out otherwise, he would accept the result in good faith and in the spirit of political sportsmanship for which he is known.

The clarification followed the circulation of a purported list of aspirants for the APC senatorial primary bearing Mustapha’s name alongside that of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The development reportedly created confusion within the ruling party, especially after earlier statements by government officials indicated that the governor was the sole aspirant for the Kwara Central Senate seat.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Nasif Sholagberu, the senator urged party members, journalists and the public to disregard reports suggesting that he participated in the senatorial primary election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Saliu Mustapha officially obtained APC nomination forms to contest for the Governorship of Kwara State in the forthcoming 2027 general elections and not for the Senate,” the statement said.

“At no time did Senator Saliu Mustapha obtain nomination forms for the Senate, nor did he participate in or undergo any screening process for the senatorial contest.”

The statement described documents and reports linking the senator to the senatorial primary as “forged, fake, misleading and of no consequence.”

Mustapha also challenged anyone making contrary claims to provide credible evidence showing that he purchased senatorial nomination forms or participated in screening for the contest.

The senator had earlier announced the submission of his governorship nomination and expression of interest forms, describing the move as a major step toward building a “more progressive and inclusive Kwara State.”

He also confirmed his successful screening by the APC governorship screening committee in Abuja.

Despite the controversy surrounding the senatorial primary, Mustapha’s media team had earlier called for peaceful conduct during the APC primaries across the state and expressed support for Governor AbdulRazaq’s senatorial ambition.

However, the senator’s camp insisted that reports portraying him as a participant in the Kwara Central senatorial race were deliberate attempts by “mischief makers” to create confusion within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.