Kwara APC Primary: Wale Sulaiman still in race, campaign debunks withdrawal claims

By Ahmed Olayinka

The media team of the Prof. Wale Sulaiman Governorship Campaign Organisation has dismissed reports claiming that the APC governorship aspirant has stepped down from the race ahead of the party’s primary election scheduled for Friday, insisting that he remains fully in the contest.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the campaign described the rumours as false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to create confusion within the political space.

The statement clarified that a recent video released by Prof. Wale Sulaiman on his social media platforms did not in any way suggest his withdrawal from the governorship race.

According to the campaign organisation, “At no point in the video recently released by Prof. Wale Sulaiman on his social media platforms did he announce or suggest that he had stepped down for anybody.”

It added that interpretations suggesting otherwise were “a deliberate distortion of his message by individuals bent on creating confusion and unnecessary tension within the political space.”

The campaign further stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had directed all aspirants to participate in the governorship primary election and that Prof. Sulaiman, as a loyal party member, remained committed to the party’s directive and internal democratic process.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the party has directed that all aspirants proceed to the governorship primary election and Prof. Wale Sulaiman, being a loyal and disciplined party man, fully respects and abides by the directive of the party leadership,” the statement read.

It stressed that his loyalty to the APC and respect for party supremacy should not be misconstrued as withdrawal from the race.

The campaign organisation disclosed that Prof. Sulaiman is fully prepared for the governorship primary election scheduled to hold in Moro and called on supporters, delegates and party faithful across the state to mobilise massively in support of his aspiration.

“Prof. Wale Sulaiman remains firmly in the contest and is fully prepared for the primary election slated for tomorrow in Moro,” the statement added.

“He therefore calls on his teaming supporters, delegates and well-wishers across the state to come out massively and vote overwhelmingly for his aspiration and vision for a greater future.”

The organisation also cautioned against misinformation and political propaganda on social media, urging members of the public to rely only on verified information from Prof. Sulaiman and his official campaign structure.

“In this era of social media manipulation and political propaganda, it is not unusual for people to insinuate, speculate and deliberately misinterpret lawful political developments for selfish interests,” it stated.

The campaign reaffirmed Prof. Sulaiman’s commitment to participatory democracy, fairness, inclusion and due process, maintaining that every aspirant deserves the opportunity to test their popularity through a transparent democratic process.

It added that Prof. Sulaiman’s respect for party supremacy and institutional processes reflects political maturity and discipline rather than any intention to withdraw from the contest.

The statement urged supporters to remain calm and focused ahead of the primary election, expressing confidence in victory at the polls.

“Let no one be distracted by rumours, misinformation or attempts to dampen the spirit of the movement.

The task ahead remains clear: to mobilise massively for the primary election and deliver a resounding victory for Prof. Wale Sulaiman,” the statement concluded.