The Battle for Kwara: Gov Abdulrazaq vs. Sen Mustapha By Abbas Badmus
Kwara state’s political landscape is bracing for a storm. At the centre of it lies a quiet but widening gulf between two of Ilorin’s most prominent sons—Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Senator Saliu Mustapha, who is currently representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.
What once seemed like a promising alliance has slowly morphed into an unspoken rivalry that is now testing the soul of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The Politics Digest reports that it began with a handshake—of mutual respect and shared ambition—before the 2023 elections. But today, that handshake appears to have given way to clenched fists, subtle political undercurrents, and actions that speak louder than silence.
From Alliance to Antagonism
Those close to the scene recall how Senator Mustapha’s grassroots appeal, especially among the youth and traditional institutions, played a quiet but significant role in Governor AbdulRazaq’s successful re-election bid.
Yet, not long after the electoral dust settled, cracks began to appear—cracks that now threaten to shake the foundations of unity within the APC fold.
Whispers of Senator Mustapha’s rumoured 2027 gubernatorial ambition appear to have unsettled the inner circle of the Government House. And now, what many Kwarans see playing out is not just routine political jostling—but a systematic attempt to clip the wings of a rising political force.
The Alagbado Transformer Drama
When darkness descended on Alagbado in Ilorin South LGA due to power outages, it was Senator Mustapha who stepped in with a 500KVA transformer.
But no sooner had light flickered back to life than the local government chairman, Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo, swooped in and removed the transformer—carting it away to the council secretariat without a word to the community.
To many residents, it was not just sabotage—it was spite in official robes.
Empowerment Politics or Punishment?
Then came the shockwave—reports that APC ward chairmen in Kwara Central were directed not to receive empowerment items distributed by the senator.
Sewing machines, motorcycles, farming tools—meant to uplift the lives of ordinary people—were effectively rejected on political orders. What do you call a government that turns its back on its own citizens for the sake of rivalry?
Durbar, Donation Bans and Dimming Influence
The Politics Digest observes that the Ilorin Durbar—an age-old tradition deeply woven into the Emirate’s cultural fabric—was not spared. The governor reportedly moved the ceremony from the Emir’s Palace to Adeita and barred the acceptance of external donations.
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With ₦150 million allocated by the state, critics believe the move was designed not to fund tradition, but to frustrate a popular senator from sharing in its cultural prestige.
The Pavilion That Politics Halted
Senator Mustapha’s plans to build the Sulu-Gambari Pavilion—a landmark tribute to Ilorin’s heritage—have been stonewalled. Despite officially seeking approval through KW-GIS, the project remains trapped in bureaucratic silence.
Even appeals from the Emir himself have reportedly fallen on deaf ears. In Kwara’s political chessboard, it seems not even royal intervention can sway the tide when power is determined to silence purpose.
Billboards and the Battle for Visibility
Across Ilorin, eyes have also noticed the quiet disappearance of Senator Mustapha’s billboards. What was meant to be harmless goodwill messages to constituents have been pulled down—one after another.
The message is loud, even if unspoken: the senator’s star must not shine too brightly.
When Power Circles Exclude Others
But this is no longer just a feud between two political figures. The tension has begun to stir resentment beyond the Ilorin borders. In Kwara North and South, frustration is mounting.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Kwara North has not produced a governor. By 2027, AbdulRazaq—another Ilorin son—would have clocked eight years. Now, with Mustapha positioned as a potential successor, many ask: is Kwara’s highest seat of power reserved only for the Central?
The Bigger Picture: Unity or Monopoly?
The exclusionary trend threatens not only political fairness but the very fabric of the state’s unity. If leadership continues to recycle within a single zone, how can the other districts feel a sense of belonging?
How long before this sentiment snowballs into defiance—or quiet resistance?
Emirate Council on Shaky Ground?
Politics Digest notes that even the revered Ilorin Emirate Council, long seen as a moral compass and stabilising force, appears caught in the crossfire. With two of its distinguished sons on opposing ends of the growing rift, the council’s ability to remain neutral is under unprecedented test.
What Next for Kwara?
Senator Mustapha insists there is no war. That unity within the APC remains intact. But behind that public posture lies a different reality. Political observers see the signs. The silence is tense.
The gestures, calculated. The moves, telling. As 2027 approaches, Kwara stands at a crossroads. Will it embrace a more inclusive, rotational approach to governance? Or will the political pendulum continue to swing in favour of one zone?
Will peace reign or will power games tear the seams further? In the end, the battle between AbdulRazaq and Mustapha is not merely about ambition—it is about the future of fairness, leadership, and belonging in Kwara State.
And for a people with a proud political history, that future cannot be left to silent wars and unseen hands.
Abbas Badmus writes from PRNigeria Centre Abuja
