The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the incumbent Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, among candidates for the Kwara Central senatorial election.
The publication effectively sets the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched contest between AbdulRazaq of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mustapha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the list, other candidates include Adesola Kehinde (AA), Gani Omolabi (ADP), Gbadesogun Olufemi Adeleke (APP), Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo (ADC), Anjorin John Temitayo (APM), Abdulkarim-Adisa Maryam Ayoola-Fadekemi (LP), Adefolu Adekunle (NRM), Lawal Abdulhakeem Toyin (NNPP), and Suleiman Abdulrasheed Olufemi Omoda (NDC).
The development puts to rest weeks of speculation over whether Mustapha, the PDP candidate, would appear on the final list.
In recent weeks, some supporters and political allies of the governor had publicly expressed confidence that Mustapha’s candidature would not survive the process, with some insisting that the PDP candidate would ultimately not appear on the ballot.
Reacting to the development, social commentator Dr Abdulmajeed Ali argued that Mustapha’s presence on the ballot had always been a major concern for the ruling party, arguing that repeated attempts to cast doubt on his candidature reflected anxiety over a direct electoral contest with the governor.
According to him, there is nothing the ruling party dreads more than having Saliu Mustapha on the ballot.
He alleged that political interests opposed to the senator would explore every available avenue to prevent him from contesting because of concerns that he could pose a formidable electoral challenge to the governor.
