Kwara 2027: Cross-Regional APC group endorses Wale Sulaiman, calls him ‘Detribalised Unifier’

By Quadri Olokoba

The permutations ahead of the 2027 Kwara State governorship election took a decisive turn on Thursday as a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition, Frontiers for United APC, formally endorsed Professor Wale Sulaiman, describing him as the most detribalised, peace-loving and broadly acceptable aspirant in the race.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of group, Alhaji Usman Hussein (Kwara North) and Alhaji Issa Isiaka Agboji (Kwara Central) made available to NATIONAL MOONLIGHT in Ilorin.

The group, which draws its membership from Kwara North, Kwara Central and Kwara South senatorial districts, said its decision followed extensive consultations across party stakeholders, community leaders and grassroots mobilisers statewide.

In a statement jointly signed by its coordinators across the three zones, the coalition said Professor Sulaiman stands out among the growing list of aspirants for his “clear vision, tested competence and rare ability to unify diverse political and regional interests.”

“At a time when endorsements are tilting along regional lines, Kwara needs a bridge-builder,” the group stated. “Professor Wale Sulaiman represents that bridge, a detribalised leader with a track record of excellence, global exposure and a genuine commitment to peace and inclusive development.”

The endorsement underscores a shifting dynamic within the APC in Kwara, where multiple aspirants have continued to emerge, often backed by regionally aligned blocs. However, the Frontiers for United APC insisted that the state’s political future must transcend such divisions.

“Our position is clear: Kwara’s progress cannot be negotiated on sectional sentiments. We must prioritise competence, character and capacity. Professor Sulaiman embodies these qualities and offers one of the most comprehensive development visions currently on the table,” the statement added.

The group further cited his Kwara Prosperity Agenda as a policy framework capable of addressing critical sectors including healthcare, education, economic expansion and youth empowerment.

Thursday’s endorsement adds to a growing wave of support for the globally renowned neurosurgeon and physician executive, whose entry into the race has continued to attract attention within and beyond party lines.

Only days earlier, the APC Kwara South Elders Caucus had applauded his aspiration following a consultative meeting led by Chief J. B. Ayeni, describing him as “an outstanding aspirant” with proven competence and integrity.

At that meeting, elder statesman Senator Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi affirmed Professor Sulaiman’s qualification for the office, while former Senator Bisi Oyewo recounted personal experiences attesting to his medical expertise and leadership capacity.

Similarly, the Kwara Integrity Women Association (KIWA) has endorsed both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and Professor Sulaiman as its preferred APC governorship candidate, citing his experience, transparency and commitment to inclusive governance, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

Youth-driven support has also emerged through the Kwara Young Progressives Network (KYPN), a coalition spanning all 16 local government areas, which described its endorsement as “strategic and evidence-based,” pointing to Sulaiman’s institutional leadership background and philanthropic interventions through the RNZ Foundation.

Political analysts note that the convergence of endorsements from elders, women groups, youth coalitions and now a cross-senatorial political bloc signals a growing consensus around his candidacy.

Professor Sulaiman, who has been engaging stakeholders across the state, has consistently maintained that his ambition is not rooted in regional considerations but in a desire to consolidate and expand the developmental strides of the current administration under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

“Leadership must be anchored on competence, capacity and character, not merely financial strength or sectional loyalty,” he said during a recent engagement. “Our task is to build a united Kwara where every citizen, regardless of background, has a stake in our collective progress.”

With political activities gradually intensifying ahead of party primaries, observers say endorsements such as that of the Frontiers for United APC may play a crucial role in shaping delegate sentiment and influencing the trajectory of the race.

For now, the message from the coalition is unequivocal: in a season of competing ambitions and regional calculations, it believes Kwara’s path forward lies in what it calls “a unifying candidacy with proven substance.”

As the 2027 contest gathers momentum, the battle for the APC ticket is expected to further test alliances, influence structures and the resonance of competing visions for the state’s future.