Kwara State APC Chieftain, Dr. Oluwatoyin Tajudeen Alabi has reaffirmed the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inclusivity and internal democracy, stressing that every qualified member has the right to aspire to any position within the party. He maintained that the APC does not impose restrictions on ambition, but instead encourages broad participation as a way of strengthening its leadership structure and unity.
He said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday.
“That is totally not true. The party has opened the space, actually, for all political aspirants to ventilate themselves, say their plans, and say their programs to the people. No one is being restricted from picking up any position in APC, whether for governorship, Senate, House of Reps, or even House of Assembly. The party has provided a level playing ground for every aspirant to go out there and do their game in all fairness. The party has said the Governor should direct the affairs of the primary or consensus in their state and ensure that there is unity in the house and there is no rancor. So, there is no restriction of any candidate in any part of APC states—I mean, any part of Nigeria. Any member of the APC can go for any election and they can actually canvass for the support of the people,” he said.
Responding to concerns about internal disagreements, Dr Alabi expressed confidence that the APC will overcome its current challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
“To be very honest with you, everyone in the party who is a true member of APC will align with the decision of leadership. At the end of the day, you will discover that there will be harmonization of positions and everybody will come to terms with the reality of the person that has been chosen,” he said.
According to him, ongoing efforts at consensus-building across states such as Kwara, Ogun, and Nasarawa demonstrate the party’s ability to harmonise interests.
“For us in Kwara State, we have pledged to the leadership of APC in Kwara State to join hands together. I even said it before now that consensus will strengthen the unity in APC, instead of having a factional fight over who gets the ticket. The aspirants can actually be called, discussed, and agreed on who is the best man for the job. When there is a consensus, there’s an agreement. Yes, there are some states like Ogun and Nasarawa where some level of consensus has been reached. I will tell you for sure that on or before the election, all the parties that are concerned will still come together. Whoever is chosen in any state, I can bet you, every other candidate will rally around that person and there’ll be unity, and at the end of the day, APC will carry the day in all state,” he assured.
Speaking on the governorship race in Kwara State, Dr Alabi described the contest as highly competitive, noting that all aspirants bring notable strengths to the table.
“Everybody has an interest to be Governor—I’m speaking for Kwara State now. I’m very convinced that almost everyone that has come out to indicate their intention for governorship has one or two things to offer. None of them is a ‘wash away,’ none of them is a ‘wash out.’ We have men of caliber, men of experience, men of exposure that have come out,” he noted.
Addressing the multiple dynamics shaping the race, the APC Chieftain explained that political challenges such as zoning, influence, and legacy considerations require practical, politically driven solutions.
“There are so many factors that play out in deciding who gets the ticket of a particular party. Take for instance the zoning arrangement: let me say it clearly this morning that the APC constitution does not actually have any provisions for zoning. But for political expediency, sometimes you respect boundaries and you ensure that you are fair and just to all the senatorial districts that make up a particular state. So, while zoning may not be enshrined in the APC constitution, we also look at factors of balancing to ensure that, at least, everyone has an opportunity to go for the position.”
On the issue of competition, he recognised the presence of seasoned political figures in the race, stressing that the eventual candidate will likely emerge based on merit, experience and the ability to deliver developments.
“I acknowledge the presence of political juggernauts. What I know and what I believe is that the pedigree, the experience, the exposure, and what each candidate has to offer the people will in the long run determine who gets that ticket,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr Alabi emphasised that the focus should remain on governance and the welfare of the people rather than internal contestation.
“Because at the end of the day, let Kwara be better off for it. Let us have a greater Kwara where we can all be proud, where we can sleep with our two eyes closed, where education can be free and be compulsory, where we can reduce the number of out-of-school children from 22–26% down to between 2% and 5% in the first four years, and where health is available to all our aged people—that they can walk to any government hospital and get treatment at no cost,” he emphasised.
Reacting to concerns about a possible surplus of ambitions within the party, Dr. Alabi dismissed the notion of a crisis, describing the situation instead as a positive reflection of democratic vitality.
“No, we are not struggling. In fact, it’s even good for democracy that many people come out this time around. It shows the quality of material that is in Kwara. It shows the quality of people that Kwara State has been able to produce over the years—men and women of caliber that can hold their head high in any situation. So, there is no contention at all, there is no crisis at all,” he maintained.
Clarifying his earlier remarks, Dr. Alabi stressed that he never downplayed the importance of the governor’s endorsement in the party’s selection process.
“I never said I don’t need a Governor’s endorsement. What I said is that our Governor gives every one of us the opportunity to sell our program to the people.”
He explained that the governor remains a central figure and a key decision-maker within the state party structure, and no serious aspirant can ignore his influence or support.
“There is no candidate that will say he does not need the endorsement of his Governor. The Governor is the leader of the party in the state; you must seek his consent, you must seek his endorsement. No candidate that is worth his salt will say the Governor does not matter. He is a deciding factor in this matter,” he underscored.
Reinforcing his position, Dr. Alabi said the current economic reforms, though difficult, are necessary for long-term national recovery. He noted that the policies aim to stabilise key sectors, improve infrastructure, and drive sustainable growth, stressing that patience and continuity are required for Nigerians to begin seeing positive results.
“I want to be very factual with you. Before the advent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria was on the brink of collapse. He took the courage to take Nigeria out of the brink. He took the courage that no other president before was able to take. Subsidy was removed, the foreign exchange was harmonized, and we have stability in the country.
“The budget implementation is in progress. We are already in April, so whatever they need to do, they need to do now, because those infrastructure must start having positive impact in the lives of Nigerians.
“And I can tell you, by the time this infrastructure that is being invested on continues to be put in use, you open up a lot of economic space for Nigerians to really have a lot of other activities to do in the area of farming, in the area of new communities, in the area of new settlement, in boosting the economy of the areas where these roads will traverse.
“What I’m saying essentially is that, yes, there’s no dispute—there is poverty in the land. But before the end of this year, Nigeria will begin to feel the positive impact of some of the decisions the President took. And if he’s voted in again in 2027, I believe strongly that Nigerians will be better off for it. Because after the pain comes the gain. Weeping may endure for the night, I can tell you, joy will surely come in the morning for Nigeria,” he reiterated.
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