Kwara youths urge Gov. AbdulRazaq, APC to adopt Sen. Sadiq Umar for governorship race

A socio-political group, the Kwara Youth Progressives Alliance (KYPA), has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to endorse Senator Sadiq Umar as his successor and urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt the lawmaker as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking through its Coordinator, Hauwa Manko, at a press briefing in Ilorin on Saturday, the group acknowledged the achievements of Gov. AbdulRazaq in governance and described Senator Umar as an ideal candidate capable of sustaining the gains of the current administration and consolidating its legacy.

The group said its decision to adopt the lawmaker, who represents Kwara North Senatorial District, followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and various support groups, including members of the diaspora, through a mailed survey conducted over the past five months.

According to the coordinator, the group also believes Kwara North deserves the governorship, noting that the district has not produced a governor in the 27 years since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

She added that the APC “carries the moral burden to heal the wounds caused by years of denial of leadership opportunity at the highest executive level, which Kwara North has suffered.”

While noting that zoning should not take precedence over competence, the group stressed that Senator Umar possesses the requisite qualities to lead the state.

It added that the lawmaker boasts “excellent education and outstanding career achievements as a pharmacist, public health professional, and a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The group further stated, “While many have emphasised the need for competence, we must place on record that zoning the APC ticket to Kwara North would be an added advantage for 3SU. We believe that, based on his track record, he is as competent as any other aspirant from any part of Kwara State.”

“His experience in the development space, particularly his consistent engagement with policies and initiatives that directly impact livelihoods, has equipped him with the practical knowledge required to drive inclusive growth,” it added.

The group, however, called on Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar “to officially declare for the governorship of Kwara State in 2027 under the banner of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

“As a group, we will continue to engage with other party members and promote the message of unity behind our preferred candidate, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar,” it said.