By Abdullateef Ishowo
Entrapped in the shackles of ethnic rivalry and socio-lingustic mixture, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State finds itself at a perilous crossroads. As the golden hues of 2027 beckon on the political horizon, a deepening schism within the ruling party casts long, ominous shadows over the state’s future. Like a once-unified river now fractured into turbulent tributaries, the divisions in Kwara APC threaten to erode the hard-won gains of the “Otoge” revolution and court the swirling currents of opposition resurgence. In this horrendous dance of destiny, one figure emerges with the grace of a unifying dawn: Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, whose broad appeal across myriad interests positions him as the most formidable aspirant capable of mending fractures and steering the party towards triumphant shores.
Indeed, one shining facet of Senator Saliu Mustapha’s character is his noble incapacity to harbour grudges or stoop to debasing others. Even when showered with the sharpest vitriol and venom, he responds with words dipped in even greater kindness and grace. While he ardently champions the refining fire of constructive criticism, he remains a stoic fortress when unjustly assaulted by the jagged stones of slanderous accusations, allowing not even a mist of emotion to obscure the bright sun of his reason. In every sense and sphere of life, he stands as a radiant symbol of boundless love, selfless generosity, profound empathy, tender sympathy, serene calmness, unyielding resilience and a rare, almost saintly ability to endure and tolerate with unfettered dignity. His prime consideration is the unassailable unity of his party, meticulously cultivating harmony to ensure that every endeavour operates at peak performance, driving forward the unbridled progress and prosperity of his beloved state.
The divisions within Kwara APC are no mere whispers in the corridors of power. They roar like harmattan winds, stirring perturbation among stakeholders. Factional undercurrents—rooted in lingering power blocs from the legacy parties that birthed the APC in 2013, personal ambitions and simmering debates over zoning—have engendered a storm of tension. Some voices clamour for a power shift to Kwara North, invoking equity and long-standing loyalty, while others navigate the intricate web of incumbent influence, senatorial ambitions and grassroots discontent. Elders and youth alliances alike warn that delays in forging consensus or clear guidelines could ignite unhealthy rivalries, arm-twisting, gaslighting and even open rebellion, potentially handing the state back to regrouping opposition forces eager to reclaim lost glory.
Such fractures are hazardous and suicidal, for they risk transforming the APC’s once-formidable machine into a house divided against itself. In the delicate arithmetic of Nigerian politics, where voter apathy, economic hardships and ethno-religious sensitivities converge, internal disunity is an open invitation to chaos. A fragmented primary could bleed the party of its cohesion, alienate key demographics and dilute the “Renewed Hope” agenda cascading from the federal level under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Kwara, long celebrated for its progressive strides in infrastructure, education and human development under the current administration, stands to lose more than an election; it risks squandering the momentum of unity that toppled old-fangled dominions. Without swift healing, the 2027 polls could become a theatre of self-inflicted wounds, where brother contends against brother, and the people’s aspirations drown in the cacophony of discord.
Nonetheless, amid these gathering clouds, Senator Saliu Mustapha shines as a beacon of reconciliation and strength—a political colossus whose roots run deep into the fertile soil of Kwara’s diverse ranking. Born in 1972 into the respectable Mustapha family of Gambari Ward in Ilorin East, this son of Ilorin embodies the timeless virtues of discipline, piety, courage and hard work that define the ancient emirate. With over two decades as a consummate politician, he traversed the trenches of parties like the ANPP, served as Deputy National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and played a pivotal role in the historic 2013 merger that forged the APC. His loyalty and steadfastness to progressive ideals remains unyielding, even as he rose to represent Kwara Central in the Senate since 2023.
What renders Mustapha most formidable is his unparalleled ability to appeal to a kaleidoscope of interests across the state. He is not a captive of narrow cliques but a bridge-builder whose SMS political movement spans all 16 local government areas, weaving together elites and grassroots, youth and elders, farmers and professionals. The APC Legacy Groups—comprising foundational blocs from the CPC, ACN, and ANPP—have already coalesced around him as a consensus choice, showering him with accolades as the true custodian of progressive values and a proven performer in empowerment and development. His senatorial tenure glows with tangible legacies: thousands of tons of fertilizers and farming equipment distributed to uplift small-holder farmers, scholarships and skills training for indigent youths and women, employment opportunities in federal agencies, and critical infrastructure like motorized boreholes that quench thirst in underserved communities. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development, he champions bills that ignite innovation in rural economies.
Mustapha’s philanthropy, channeled through the Saliu Mustapha Foundation, flows like a life-giving river, alleviating poverty with compassionate hands that recall the legendary style of Kwara’s political doyens. He commands respect in traditional circles as the Turaki of Ilorin, resonates with the business and professional class through his acumen as a development consultant and entrepreneur, and inspires the youth with his energetic vision for human capital growth. Even in the face of factional headwinds, his outreach—marked by humility, inclusivity and a commitment to sustaining infrastructural gains while advancing federal agendas—transcends senatorial boundaries, drawing admiration and encomiums from Kwara Central to the farthest reaches of the state.
In an era where leadership demands not just ambition but the alchemy of uniting disparate souls, Saliu Mustapha stands head and shoulders above the constellation of aspirants. His profile—youthful vigor tempered by seasoned experience, financial independence free from undue encumbrances, and national connections that amplify state interests—makes him the candidate best poised to consolidate APC dominance. He offers a pathway to heal divisions through dialogue and consensus, ensuring that 2027 becomes a symphony of victory rather than a dirge of defeat.
As the sun rises over the rolling landscapes of Kwara, the party’s elders, stakeholders and teeming populace must heed the clarion call: unity is not optional but existential. The divisions that now fester are a clarion warning; if left unchecked, they would imperil the harvest of tomorrow.
Yet in Senator Saliu Mustapha lies the promise of a renewed dawn—a leader whose broad shoulders can carry the aspirations of farmers tilling the fertile fields, youths dreaming of brighter horizons, women seeking empowerment and traditional institutions yearning for harmonious governance. Kwara’s destiny in 2027 hangs in the balance, but with wisdom and foresight, the APC can choose cohesion over chaos, and in Mustapha, find the formidable unifier who will propel the state into an era of unparalleled prosperity and enduring peace. The choice, as ever, rests with the people—but history whispers that true statesmen like him rarely emerge twice in a generation.
That the major opposition parties in the state are deploying all possible means to lure him into their fold—particularly by waving guber tickets at him—speaks volumes of his towering stature and acceptability across borders. If the APC desires to retain the state beyond Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s reign, Senator Saliu Mustapha remains the surest bet for the party’s victory.
Abdullateef Ishowo
is the Director, Media and Strategic Communication to Senator Saliu Mustapha
