Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, who was initially endorsed by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost the primaries.
The outcome was announced on Friday in Ilorin by the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
According to Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Saliu, won the governorship primary.
There were, however, reports that AbdulRazaq dumped Seriki midway into the process, switching allegiance to Danladi-Saliu.
Obanikoro said Danladi-Saliu secured 94,990 votes to defeat nine other aspirants in the contest.
According to him, Seriki came second with 41,700 votes, while Olufemi Sanni polled 5,519 votes.
Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe scored 3,920 votes, while Mohammed Bergore (SAN) secured 3,411 votes.
Mohammed Bio polled 1,122 votes, Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin got 1,099 votes, and Bashiru Bolarinwa secured 22,118 votes.
Prof. Abubakar Suleiman scored 1,722 votes, while Prof. Wale Suleiman polled 2,434 votes.
Obanikoro said the primary, postponed earlier for logistical reasons, witnessed a peaceful turnout by party members across the state.
He said: “In spite of the inconveniences experienced yesterday, members came out today in large numbers to peacefully participate in the exercise.
“This has demonstrated the unity, perseverance and strength of our great party.”
Obanikoro said there was no loser in the contest, describing all aspirants as members of one political family.
“I hereby certify that Mr. Yakubu Danladi-Saliu, having satisfied APC requirements and scored the highest votes, is declared winner,” he said.
The Kwara State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, praised members for their orderly conduct during the exercise.
Fagbemi described the successful primary as proof of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general election.
