Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq told supporters on Monday that the All Progressives Congress has never been stronger in Kwara State and stands ready to dominate the 2027 general elections. He made the declaration at the APC Youth Engagement 2026 in Ilorin, where the party unveiled its slate of candidates for various offices.
The governor reflected on what his administration inherited when it took office in 2019—an economy in freefall, crumbling schools, broken healthcare systems, and civil servants who hadn't received full salaries. He said his government had spent the past years rebuilding these critical sectors.
Abdulrazaq backed Salihu Yakubu Danladi, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, as the APC's governorship candidate to succeed him. He described Danladi as competent and battle-tested, ready to lead the state from the Ahmadu Bello House.
The governor pushed back against critics who question Danladi's experience. "How can anyone claim a Speaker of nearly eight years doesn't have experience?" he asked, according to a statement signed by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola.
Abdulrazaq noted that the projects transforming Kwara were appropriated under Danladi's watch in the legislature. He said denying the speaker's role in the state's development didn't add up.
Education had virtually collapsed before 2019, the governor explained. Federal grants meant for schools had been diverted, teachers had abandoned classrooms to farm, and attendance had plummeted.
"We reversed that trend," he said, adding that Kwara now ranks among Nigeria's leading states educationally.
He urged party members to intensify grassroots work ahead of 2027. "Go back to your wards, zones and polling units and begin organising yourselves," he told them.
While acknowledging the party's current strength, Abdulrazaq warned against complacency. "We must continue to work hard to secure victory.
Insha Allah, 2027 shall be our year of victory," he said.
The governor praised the heavy turnout of young people at the event. He said their presence demonstrated solid backing for his administration and for Danladi's candidacy.
Danladi, in his remarks, thanked Abdulrazaq for trusting the younger generation with leadership roles. He pledged to build on the administration's achievements if elected, according to accounts of his speech.
The APC's candidates also expressed gratitude to the governor and party leadership at state and national levels for backing them during the primary elections. They signalled unity heading into the general election cycle.
