Political heavyweights under the auspices of the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Caucus, on Saturday, endorsed the aspiration of the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sadiq Suleiman Umar, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections.
They recommended the legislator to the APC leadership as consensus flag-bearer of the party from the northern region of the state.
Addressing a media briefing in Ilorin, the Chairman, state APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Bamisaiye Ayeni, said the Kwara North Senator has been found to possess quality required to leader the state from 2027.
Ayeni, who addressed the press conference alongside members of the caucus, urged other aspirants from Kwara North to queue behind the National Assembly member to fly the flag of the party.
He said the decision to back Senator Umar as a candidate is in line with the resolution of the caucus for gubernatorial seat to return to Kwara North in the next dispensation.
The APC elders caucus chairman added that the aspirant’s antecedents and past records of services in both public and private sectors stand him out among those jostling for the covetous seat of the Governor from the region.
“We have come to the conclusion to endorse Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar’s aspiration, based on our findings, after we have engaged and interacted with the Aspirants from the Senatorial District.
“Thereafter, we have assessed all of them and found him to have excelled above others in terms of his sense of humility to all, complete culturally and socially detribalized attributes, display of ability, capability and capacity to perform, confirmed past impressive records and experiences in both public and private services to the nation, also possession of other pedigrees that are required and demanded, for the exalted office of the Governor.
“From the foregoing qualities, we would like to recommend Distinguished Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar to the leadership of our party, the APC, at both the state and national levels, to be considered and adopted as the consensus candidate of the party from Kwara North Senatorial District, who will fly the party’s flag for the Kwara State gubernatorial election in 2027.
“At this juncture, we would like to prevail on other aspirants from Kwara North Senatorial District to willingly support him, in the overall interest and spirit of oneness, sense of belonging and unity of purpose, for the people of the district in particular and the entire Kwara State in general”, Ayeni said.
Those who attended the press conference include Senator Ahmed Mohammed, Retired General Agbabiaka, former state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Salman Jawondo (SAN); former Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abdulmumin Sidiq Katibi; and retired Permanent Secretary Samuel Ayobola among others.
