The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Election Committee for Kwara State, chaired by Musiliu Obanikoro, has unveiled the operational modalities for the state’s rescheduled primary election.
The exercise was shifted to Friday, May 22, 2026, by the APC National Working Committee following the inability of party leadership to secure an initial consensus arrangement.
In a statement on Thursday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states had been shifted to Friday (today).
He added that the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara were rescheduled for Sunday, May 24.
Speaking on modalities for the Kwara exercise, Obanikoro, in a statement on Friday morning, said electoral materials would be distributed before Juma’at prayers.
He added that voting would commence simultaneously in all 16 local government areas thereafter.
Obanikoro said designated Local Government Election Officers appointed by the committee across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State would converge to receive election materials and commence the voting process accordingly.
“The committee is fully prepared to conduct the exercise in strict compliance with the directives of the APC National Headquarters and in accordance with established party guidelines,” he said.
He disclosed that the committee had held a strategic meeting with all governorship aspirants at the APC State Secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital, where they were thoroughly briefed on the electoral process.
According to him, the engagement also provided an opportunity to address concerns raised by aspirants, ensuring an inclusive and transparent process.
He noted that while efforts were made to encourage consensus among aspirants, the committee was fully prepared to conduct a credible election should consensus not be reached.
“The committee is the only body duly authorised by the party and relevant laws to conduct, conclude and report on the primary,” he said.
He reiterated the committee’s commitment to fairness and transparency, urging all stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and in the spirit of unity.
Recall that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had announced Yahaya Seriki as his preferred aspirant.
There were reports that some aspirants had withdrawn from the race, including Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Dr Mohammed Bio, Dr Toyin Alabi, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, Hajia Aisha Patigi, Dr Salako Oluwatoyin and the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
However, at Adewole Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area on Thursday, supporters of Seriki, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Bashir Bolarinwa and Femi Sanni made their voices heard.
