The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially ratified and unveiled Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu as its consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The high-level unveiling ceremony, which took place at the party’s state secretariat in Ilorin on Saturday, sets up a fascinating political showdown in Kwara State following the dramatic emergence of House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi as the ruling APC’s flagbearer just 24 hours earlier.
The stakeholders’ meeting was presided over by the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Isa Adamu Bawa.
Representing the national leader of the party, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Kawu Baraje in his goodwill message calls for peace and urges the aspirants and their supporters to unite as one in order to rescue the state from the ruling party comes 2027.
On his part, Mallam Omar Bolaji Gambari speaking on behalf of the other frontline gubernatorial aspirants openly embraced Engr. Kawu as the party’s consensus candidate.
Gambari disclosed that his decision, alongside that of fellow heavyweight contenders Professor Ali Ahmad, Barr. Sharafadeen Ibiwoye, SAN and Alhaji Ladi Hassan to back Kawu was entirely collective, made after extensive cross-consultations in the overriding interest of Kwara State.
“After extensive consultations with stakeholders of the Kwara PDP and our leading gubernatorial aspirants, we have arrived at a consensus candidate to fly the flag of our great party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election,” the official party communique noted.
To ensure absolute transparency in the consensus framework, Chairman Isa Adamu Bawa publicly read out signed letters from the missing aspirants, each affirming their unalloyed support for Kawu’s candidacy.
Prominent party chieftain Hon. Mashood Mustapha also addressed the delegates, re-emphasizing that the smooth transition reflects the party’s maturity and decency in handling internal processes.
In a follow-up briefing, the State Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bashir Ashura, revealed that while the consensus choice is sealed, party delegates and supporters will still head to the polls tomorrow, Sunday, for a formal ratification and validation primary exercise.