No fewer than 15 incumbent members of the Kwara State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are set to miss out on the 11th Assembly, following the emergence of the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The development, reflected in the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signals a major shake-up in the ruling party’s legislative representation, with only nine of the 24 incumbent APC lawmakers expected to seek re-election under the party’s platform.
While some lawmakers lost their tickets to rival aspirants during the party’s nomination process, others are leaving the Assembly race following suspensions, defections or their emergence as candidates for other political offices.
Among the most prominent is the Speaker of the Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, who has emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections. Ogunniyi David, representing Balogun/Ojomu Constituency, has also secured the party’s deputy governorship ticket, creating an opening for a new candidate in the constituency.
The nomination process has equally reshaped the APC’s choices across several constituencies, with new aspirants displacing incumbent lawmakers and other contenders.
In Ekiti/Irepodun/Osi/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Abolarin Gabriel lost the APC ticket to Olujide Samuel, while Lawal Suliamon defeated Ganiyu Salahu to emerge as the party’s candidate for Igbaja/Ifelodun Constituency.
Oyinloye Dairo also secured the APC ticket for Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, replacing incumbent Owolabi Rasaq.
In Lafiagi/Edu Constituency, Buhari Saddiq emerged as the party’s candidate in place of Saba Yisa Gideon, who was suspended over alleged anti-party activities and subsequently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Stephen Awoyale will contest for the APC in Isin Constituency, replacing Omotosho Rasaq, while Garba Yaru Umar emerged as the party’s candidate for Gweria/Bani/Adana Constituency in place of Ahmed Saidu Baba.
Further changes occurred in Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency, where Usman Zakari defeated Abdullahi Danbaba to secure the ticket, and in Okuta/Yashikira Constituency, where Ahmed Yakubu emerged as the APC candidate, replacing Salihu Baba.
In Ilorin Northwest Constituency, Olowokere Bolaji secured the party’s ticket ahead of Olatundun Babatunde, while Omotosho Mutiat emerged as the APC candidate for Shawo/Essa/Offa Constituency, replacing Yusuf Gbanga.
The list also names Olayinka Fafoluyi as the party’s candidate in place of Olushola Odetundun, who was suspended alongside Saba Yisa Gideon and later defected to the PDP.
In Patigi Constituency, Aliyu Dangana defeated incumbent Musa Kareem to secure the APC ticket, while Bakare Latifat emerged as the party’s candidate for Oke-Ero Constituency, replacing Olajure Bamigboye.
Giwa Musemil will contest for Balogun/Ojomu Constituency following Ogunniyi David’s emergence as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate.
The changes mean that 15 of the 24 incumbent APC lawmakers are not listed to return to the Assembly under the party’s platform after the 2027 elections, while nine are expected to seek another term.
However, their exclusion from the APC’s candidate list does not automatically mean an end to their political ambitions. Some could seek other elective positions, pursue political appointments or contest under different party platforms.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the reshuffling of candidates marks a significant development in the APC’s preparations for the next Kwara Assembly and could alter the political calculations across several constituencies.
