Thousands of stakeholders comprising members, leaders and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday staged a ‘Thank You’ rally in Ilorin, the state capital for the successful conduct of the party’s primaries in the state.
The rally was also held in support of President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara APC governorship candidate, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu and all other candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Dubbed “Kwara Ndupe Rally”, the event saw thousands of the party’s faithful marching major roads in Ilorin metropolis – from Queen Elizabeth School – Surulere – Oja-Oba – Post Office to the party’s secretariat in GRA – with different attires, fliers, and banners in support of candidates of the party at all levels.
Speaking during the rally in Ilorin,
the leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barr. Oba Magaji Abdulkadri, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout at the event, describing it as evidence of the unity within the APC.
“We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood,” he said.
On the party’s future in the state, Abdulkadri said the APC remained firmly positioned to retain its dominance. The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright,” he said.
Reacting to questions on the opposition, he said the ruling party had no reason to fear any rival in a democracy, adding that: “We are not afraid. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state.”
Senior adviser and counselor to the governor, Alh Saadu Salahu said the party is ready for issue-based campaigns and a door-to-door mobilisation, charging all members to remain resolute and committed to ensuring the party ‘s victory at the general elections.
“This rally must translate to PVC collection, voter registration, and polling-unit victory in February 2027. There must not be complacency. We will campaign on record, not insult, because our party has a record of road network, schools, hospitals, and regular payment of salaries to show to Kwarans. The opposition has nothing,” Salahu said.
The state chairman of APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said he was impressed with the massive turnout and expressed hope that the party would coast to victory in 2027.
“With what I have seen here, it is good to say that all our candidates are in. More people are still coming to join our party,” he said.
Fagbemi who spoke through his deputy, Alh Abdullahi Samari, urged aggrieved members of the APC to allow the party to address their grievances.
The Kwara State coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Alh Abdulateef Alakawa, described the party’s rally as a demonstration of unity and appreciation following the successful conduct of the APC primary elections in the state.
Alakawa said the event was organised to thank God and the leadership of the APC for responding to the aspirations of party members during the primaries.
He said the emergence of candidates for various elective positions reflected the will of party members through the direct primary election process.
According to him, the rally also served as a rehearsal for the 2027 general elections and an opportunity to reaffirm the loyalty of APC members in the state to President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We are grateful to God that the primaries were peaceful and successful, with our candidates emerging across the various positions,” Alakawa said.
Alakawa said the APC remained a united family and had already initiated reconciliation efforts to address whatever grievances arising from the primaries.
“In every democratic process, there will be winners and others who may not emerge. As far as the APC is concerned, we have no losers. The party has already constituted a reconciliation committee, and we are confident all issues will be resolved,” he said.
