Kwara G15 Movement Declares ‘No Going Back’, Vows to Resist Alleged APC Imposition by Gov AbdulRazaq
The crisis within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened at the weekend as the Kwara G15 Movement declared that it is “not backing down” in its resistance to what it described as Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The G15—now the largest organised faction within the ruling party—comprises 10 governorship aspirants, the state’s three senators, most APC federal lawmakers from Kwara, influential party elders, and youth and women leaders. Their emergence represents the most significant internal revolt since the 2019 Otó Gẹ́ movement that swept AbdulRazaq to power.
At the centre of the dispute is the emergence of Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi as the APC governorship candidate. The G15 insists the process was manipulated by the governor to install a preferred successor, rejecting the primaries and demanding a transparent rerun.
In a statement jointly signed by 15 prominent APC leaders, the coalition thanked supporters across the state for “standing firm in a collective struggle to restore consultation, justice and genuine democratic participation” within the party.
The group said its campaign is driven by the need to protect the rights of ordinary party members, alleging that many supporters have faced pressure, inducements, intimidation and blackmail aimed at weakening the movement.
The G15 emphasised that it is not a personal project of any aspirant but a broad platform to restore internal democracy.
“It belongs to every man and woman who believes that leadership should be earned through fairness, consultation and the freely expressed will of the people,” the statement said.
The coalition urged members to remain steadfast, assuring those who have endured criticism and personal sacrifices that “their commitment will not be in vain.”
The group vowed to continue resisting what it called “unpopular political arrangements,” insisting that attempts to impose candidates on party members “will not succeed.”
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Drawing parallels with the 2019 Otó Gẹ́ movement that ended the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the G15 said the ideals of that movement had been betrayed but its spirit remained alive.
“Just as Otó Gẹ́ brought political change in 2019, renewed mobilisation will once again shape the political future of Kwara,” the group declared.
The movement urged members to remain peaceful and organised, strengthening party structures across wards, local governments and senatorial districts while engaging citizens “with respect and humility.”
The statement was signed by:
Hon. Bashir Ọmolaja Bọlarinwa, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), Senator Yisa Oyelọla Ashiru, Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Ambassador Abdulfatahi Yahaya Seriki Gambari, Dr. Muhyideen Abdulazeez Salakọ, Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, Alhaji Tajudeen Audu Makama Lafiaji, Hon. Mohammed Bio Umar, Captain Ahmad Mahmud, Hon. Dr. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, and Hon. Ismaheel Kayode Tijani.
Positioning themselves as “the conscience of the APC in Kwara,” the G15 accused Governor AbdulRazaq of creating a new form of godfatherism—contrary to the ideals of Otó Gẹ́.
Their 10‑point demands include restoring internal democracy, inclusive party administration, ending political exclusion, and genuine reconciliation based on fairness and equity.
They argue that key stakeholders who built the Otó Gẹ́ movement and delivered victory in 2019 have been sidelined, calling it a betrayal of the movement’s promise of accountability and inclusive governance.
The G15 recently petitioned President Bola Tinubu, warning that unresolved grievances could weaken the APC in Kwara and affect national electoral prospects in 2027. Critics described the petition as political blackmail, but the G15 insisted it was a legitimate warning about a fractured party.
With no resolution in sight, the coalition has begun exploring political alternatives. It has held talks with Accord and the NNPP, after earlier discussions with the PDP collapsed over disagreements on power‑sharing.
In the G15’s view, the movement that dismantled Saraki’s godfatherism in 2019 has now produced a new one under the governor it empowered.
As the 2027 election approaches, the question remains whether the APC will heal this widening rift—or face a major political break in Kwara.
By PRNigeria
