2027: Kwara Gov AbdulRazaq endorses Seriki-Gambari as preferred successor

Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has officially endorsed billionaire mining businessman, Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki-Gambari, as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

The endorsement was announced in a statement personally signed by the governor on Tuesday, immediately sparking political reactions and fresh tension within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

The development is already generating controversy among party stakeholders and governorship aspirants who have been positioning themselves for the APC ticket ahead of the next election cycle.

Seriki-Gambari, a wealthy businessman with extensive interests in the mining sector, has in recent years come under public scrutiny over alleged controversial mining activities linked to his companies and associates in parts of Kwara State.

His mining operations particularly came under the spotlight following growing insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping incidents across several communities in the state.

It would be recalled that the Kwara State House of Assembly last year commenced a probe into alleged links between illegal and large-scale mining activities and the worsening security situation in parts of the state.

The investigation, led by the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, featured public hearings and engagements with security agencies, host communities, local miners, and foreign mining operators.

Lawmakers expressed concerns that the sudden escalation of insecurity in previously peaceful areas may not be unconnected with the influx and operations of mining interests across rural communities.

Despite the controversies surrounding his business activities, Governor AbdulRazaq described Seriki-Gambari as “young, pro-people, astute, and broad-minded,” insisting that he possesses the qualities needed to sustain the administration’s legacy.

“Following extensive consultations with party structures and leadership, I am pleased to endorse Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as my preferred successor under the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the governor said.

The governor further stated that Seriki-Gambari has built “profound investments and extensive goodwill among the people of Kwara State,” adding that his emergence would guarantee “cohesion, unity, and continuous success of the party.”

Although AbdulRazaq acknowledged that the endorsement does not stop other aspirants from contesting in the APC governorship primaries scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, he urged party members and stakeholders to support Seriki-Gambari’s candidacy.

“I urge members and leaders to affirm the choice of Seriki as our candidate,” the governor added.

The development comes amid mounting tensions within the Kwara APC over alleged imposition of candidates and growing complaints by stakeholders who accuse the governor of sidelining influential party figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

No fewer than 16 aspirants are reportedly contesting for the APC governorship ticket in the state, including prominent politicians, businessmen, and serving public office holders.

Party members believe the endorsement could significantly reshape the dynamics of the race and trigger fresh political realignments within the ruling party.

Some APC loyalists who spoke with SaharaReporters shortly after the announcement expressed shock over the governor’s choice of preferred successor.

“Of all people, the governor looked at over three million Kwarans and concluded that Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki-Gambari is the most qualified person to lead the state,” one party stakeholder said anonymously.

“There’s no better reflection of how this administration rates the people of Kwara than the choices it keeps making in terms of succession.”

“First, it was Yakubu Danladi, who barely educated man who could barely sustain a 2-minutes quality conversations. When that failed, the next option the Governor could think of is Seriki? It is honestly beyond.