••• Says Governorship race should be open to all qualified Kwarans
A former Commissioner for Communications and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Olabode George Towoju, has stated that the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stands no chance of winning the 2027 general elections in Kwara State.
Towoju made this declaration on Friday while fielding questions from journalists at his office in Ilorin, using the opportunity to offer a political cautionary message to the ruling APC.
While expressing confidence in the APC’s dominance, the former Commissioner issued a strong caution to the party leadership, urging them to ensure inclusiveness and consultation before selecting candidates for the 2027 general elections. He warned that the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are actively positioning themselves to capitalize on a potential APC implosion due to internal conflicts.
Speaking on the sensitive issue of zoning, the Oke-Ero-born politician stressed that the governorship race should be open to all qualified Kwarans, regardless of their regional origin.
Next Kwara Governor can come from any part of the state. I will not support a candidate that would focus on his/her region. I will support credible candidate with good agenda from Kwara South or any part of the state, he added, noting that Kwara South also possesses intelligent and resourceful youth with the capacity to consolidate on the OTOGE gains.
He expressed disappointment with some lawmakers in the Kwara State House of Assembly for their early public endorsements of specific candidates, which he believes distracts them from official duties.
The former Commissioner also berated an unnamed local government chairman who allegedly blocked a ₦200 million project facilitated by Senator Saliu Mustapha while imploring public office holders to shun such anti-development moves in the name of loyalty, describing the action as sycophancy taken too far.
He dismissed the controversial notion by Hon. Gidado Alakawa that aspirants need the Governor’s approval before contesting, describing it as undemocratic, clarifying that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is the recognized party leader, not a political godfather, and accused some political players of using the Governor’s name to push personal interests.
Towoju praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing many Kwarans, including people from Kwara South, to serve in his administration.
The former Commissioner hinted at his own political future for 2027, stating
“I am still consulting. I may contest because political consultations are already underway for the 2027 elections.” he said.
