Danladi Emerges Strong Contender as Kwara North Intensifies Governorship Push
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, on Sunday fueled speculations over his possible emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, as aspirants from Kwara North reiterated the district’s demand to produce the next governor in 2027.
Danladi, alongside fellow APC aspirant from Kwara North, Hon. Mahalia Aisha Ahman-Pategi, spoke with journalists in Abuja shortly after undergoing the party’s governorship screening exercise.
More than 15 aspirants contesting for the Kwara state 2027 governorship position, were screened by the party over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Kwara North stakeholders have intensified agitation for power shift to the district, arguing that it remains the only senatorial zone yet to complete a full four-year term as governor since the creation of the state.
Political observers believe this sentiment has strengthened the position of Danladi, who has emerged as one of the leading aspirants being linked to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s political structure.
Danladi, who has served as Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly since 2019, is widely credited with maintaining cordial executive-legislative relations and ensuring stability within the Assembly throughout AbdulRazaq’s administration.
His leadership style and coordination of the legislature are said to have earned him the confidence of major stakeholders within the APC, amid rumors that he could emerge through a consensus arrangement.
Addressing questions on reports that he had been “anointed” by the governor, the Speaker responded humorously but cautiously.
“If there is an anointed candidate, and If you are hearing that Danladi has been anointed, my prayer, let it be so, and by God’s grace, we will move Kwara to the next level,” he said.
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Despite the growing speculation, Hon. Mahalia Aisha Ahman-Pategi dismissed claims that any aspirant had already secured endorsement, insisting that party leaders would collectively decide the way forward.
“Actually, there is no anointing candidate in Kwara. The most important thing is we are going to sit down with our governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are all going to deliberate, and I’m sure we will come to a conclusion,” she stated.
Mahalia, however, emphasized unity among aspirants from Kwara North, describing them as a new generation determined to sustain APC dominance in the state.
“We are united. We are one regardless of our competition to vie for one office. Whatever happens, we are going to work together, and APC remains our party,” she added.
The Speaker also defended his decision to seek executive office despite currently leading the legislative arm of government.
According to him, his years as presiding officer of the Assembly have equipped him with executive experience needed to govern the state effectively.
“That does not mean when you are a Speaker, you should remain only in the itinerary of legislation,” Danladi said.
“Being a presiding officer is also an executive role we are playing in the legislative arm. We have that experience for the past seven years today to run Kwara and reach that destination we are all yearning for.”
In a lighter moment during the interaction, Danladi jokingly reminded Mahalia that he once screened her as a commissioner nominee before the Assembly, expressing confidence that political differences among aspirants would not affect their relationship.
While other states have been having series of meetings to harmonize on a consensus candidate, some aspirants have expressed worries that Kwara is yet to toe the part of calling all the contenders for a meeting.
Observers say the ongoing consultations within the APC may ultimately determine whether the party adopts consensus or direct primaries in selecting its governorship candidate for Kwara State.
By PRNigeria
