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The governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara may have ended, but the intrigues, suspense and high-level political maneuvering that shaped the exercise have continued to dominate discussions within the state.

No fewer than 17 aspirants had shown strong interest in contesting the party’s gubernatorial ticket during the primary election.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had earlier indicated that he preferred the next governor under the APC platform to emerge from Kwara North Senatorial District, arguing that the region had been politically marginalized for years in the state’s governance history.

As a result, speculation over who would succeed Governor Abdulrazaq largely centered on the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, who was widely viewed as the likely successor.

ZINGTIE reports that the names of three prominent aspirants — Salihu Mustapha, Bashir Bolarinwa and Femi Araba — had earlier gained widespread attention among party members ahead of the primary election, amid speculation that the presidency had interest in a particular aspirant considered close to President Bola Tinubu.

That was the prevailing political atmosphere until a few hours before the governorship primary election when Governor Abdulrazaq reportedly unveiled Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor, a development that sent shockwaves across the party and political circles in the state.

Amid the confusion generated by the development, reports indicated that a meeting involving all aspirants was convened last Thursday by the governor at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Ilorin, but only one aspirant, Barrister Mohammed Dele Belgore, attended while others reportedly boycotted the gathering.

The failed banquet meeting was followed by public statements from several aspirants denying claims that they had withdrawn from the primary election in support of another contender.

Apart from the Director General of the National Legislative Institute, Abuja, Abubakar Suleiman, who officially announced his withdrawal from the race, all other aspirants insisted they were still in contention, further deepening confusion among party loyalists in the state.

The aggrieved aspirants reportedly preferred a direct primary system instead of the consensus arrangement favoured by both the national and state leadership of the party.

Political tension intensified further when the direct primary election conducted on Thursday was suddenly suspended by the national leadership of the party while the exercise was still ongoing.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who announced the cancellation, disclosed that the primary election had been rescheduled for Friday, attributing the development to logistical challenges.

The primary election was eventually conducted on Friday, with the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, emerging victorious against earlier political speculations within the party.

Chairman of the primary election committee, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who announced the results at the Banquet Hall, stated that Yakubu Danladi secured 94,990 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yahaya Seriki, who polled 41,700 votes, while Dr. Bashir Bolarinwa recorded 22,118 votes.

Results announced for other candidates showed that Engr. Femi Sani polled 5,519 votes, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe scored 3,920 votes, Barrister Mohammed Dele Belgore recorded 3,411 votes, Mohammed Bio polled 1,122 votes, Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin secured 1,099 votes, Professor Wale Suleiman got 2,434 votes, while Professor Abubakar Suleiman recorded 1,722 votes.

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