Kwara senators seek review of APC primaries, reconciliation

A rift has emerged within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the state's three senators are demanding a review of recent primary elections and the establishment of a reconciliation committee. The lawmakers, comprising Senators Saliu Mustapha, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, and Sadiq Umar, expressed deep concern over what they described as a decline in party unity and the controversies surrounding the nominations for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly positions.

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The Caucus observes an erosion of party cohesion. Legitimate stakeholders have been excluded from critical decision-making, breeding grievance where there ought to be consensus.

In a joint statement, the Kwara APC Senate Caucus highlighted the exclusion of legitimate stakeholders from crucial decision-making processes, which they believe has fostered grievances. They specifically criticized the primary elections, noting that approximately 70% of incumbent lawmakers failed to clear the screening for State House of Assembly tickets. The senators deemed this outcome irreconcilable with principles of fairness and merit, urging the state and national leadership of the APC to act swiftly.

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Most disturbingly, approximately 70 per cent of sitting lawmakers were unable to clear the screening exercise for the State House of Assembly, an outcome that, on its face, cannot be reconciled with the principles of merit, fairness, and institutional memory.

"We call upon the State APC Executive, in concert with the National Working Committee, to constitute a high-level Reconciliation Committee with a clear 30-day mandate to reintegrate aggrieved and marginalised members," the senators stated. They also urged a review of the disqualification of experienced incumbents, emphasizing their proven capacity and service record. Beyond internal party matters, the senators voiced serious concerns about escalating insecurity in Kwara, particularly rural banditry and kidnappings, which they warned are undermining the agricultural economy and exacerbating food inflation.

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We call upon the State APC Executive, in concert with the National Working Committee, to constitute a high-level Reconciliation Committee with a clear 30-day mandate to reintegrate aggrieved and marginalised members.