The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State has taken steps to resolve its internal leadership dispute ahead of the 2027 governorship election. On Monday, the party handed over its state secretariat in Ilorin to the AbdulGaniyu AbdulSalam-led executive. This move is expected to bring an end to the internal disagreement over the party's leadership structure in Kwara. The handover ceremony also saw the unveiling of Elder Israel Ajayi Awolowo as the running mate to Prof. Abdulmumin Olayinka Ajia, the party's governorship candidate.
Prof. Ajia described Awolowo as a retired Deputy Director in the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission and an educationist with decades of professional experience. He believes Awolowo's experience and understanding of the state's communities will be valuable to the ticket. Awolowo is expected to play an active role in the proposed administration, with clearly defined responsibilities. According to Ajia, Awolowo will be a working partner in delivering the Forward Kwara Agenda, with clear duties and the authority to carry them out.
The internal dispute within the NDC comes against the backdrop of broader disagreements over the integration of new political blocs and the authority of the party's formal structures ahead of the 2027 elections. Ajia called on members who had taken different positions during the disagreement to rally behind the AbdulSalam-led executive. He urged members to resolve differences through the recognised organs of the party and make room for everyone willing to contribute to its activities.
The decision to hand over the secretariat had the support of Awolowo and other candidates across the state, including the Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Dr AbdulRasheed Suleiman Omoda, and the Kwara South senatorial candidate, Ambassador Samuel Omoniyi Oni. Ajia said the priority should now be to strengthen the party's organisation and prevent internal disagreements from undermining its preparations for the 2027 election.
Awolowo, in his acceptance remarks, said his years in education and community service had taught him to listen, work with others and take responsibility for results. He is expected to bring his expertise to the ticket and play a key role in the proposed administration. The party chairman, AbdulSalam, said the state executive would serve members fairly, strengthen the party's organs and provide the necessary support for its candidates.
AbdulSalam urged members to bring their ideas and energy to rebuilding the party, while promising to uphold its processes and conduct the affairs of the executive in a manner that would justify the confidence of Kwarans. The party is looking to present a united front ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Ajia and Awolowo leading the charge. The NDC is working to prevent internal disagreements from affecting its chances in the election.
The unveiling of Awolowo as running mate and the handover of the party secretariat mark a significant step towards resolving the internal leadership dispute within the Kwara State NDC. The party is now focused on strengthening its organisation and supporting its candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
Key points
- The Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kwara State has unveiled Elder Israel Ajayi Awolowo as the running mate to Prof. Abdulmumin Olayinka Ajia for the 2027 governorship election.
- The party has handed over its state secretariat in Ilorin to the AbdulGaniyu AbdulSalam-led executive in a bid to resolve its internal leadership dispute.
- The NDC is working to present a united front ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with a focus on strengthening its organisation and supporting its candidates.
