As the 2027 general elections approach, the Kwara Political Leaders of Thought (KPLOT), a non-partisan group, has publicly warned Kwarans against prioritizing regional zoning in the selection of the next governor.
The group asserted that the state’s escalating security crisis which has turned Kwara into an epicentre of banditry and terrorism demands that leadership choices be based strictly on capacity, competence, and character.
This development was confirmed in a press conference, titled “Kwara 2027: Aligning Our Leadership Choices with Our Present Realities,” held at Noktel Resorts Hotel, Ilorin, on Thursday.
KPLOT acknowledged efforts by both Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to combat insecurity but stressed that communities from Edu to Kiama are still under siege.
The group argued that this unprecedented reality nullifies any luxury for emotional politics or turn-by-turn calculations.
“The leadership question before us is no longer about where a candidate comes from, but who that candidate is, Who has the competence to confront insecurity? Who has the capacity to rebuild confidence in governance? Who has the courage, experience, and vision to navigate Kwara out of its present challenges and secure its future?”, the group added.
KPLOT unequivocally stated that the ideal leader for Kwara in 2027 can emerge from any part of the state; North, South, or Central. Adding that limiting choices based on zoning or primordial sentiment was deemed dangerous, with consequences that would be borne by all Kwarans.
In addition to its political counsel, KPLOT issued a strong warning to traditional rulers to maintain absolute neutrality and steer clear of partisan politics.
More pictures from the event;
They cautioned that the throne derives its strength from neutrality and moral authority. Aligning with any political tendency risks fracturing traditional institutions and eroding the unifying essence of the stool, citing examples in northern Nigeria where partisan interference has led to fractured emirates.
“Traditional rulers best serve their people by remaining above politics, offering counsel, preserving peace, and acting as fathers to all. Politics should be left to politicians; the throne must remain a sanctuary of unity, stability, and enduring legitimacy,” the statement added.
