Setback for Kwara North as key APC aspirant backs Kwara Central for Governorship

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Haliru Dantsoho Mahmud, has stepped down from the 2027 governorship race and declared support for a candidate from Kwara Central.

Dantsoho, also known as Dan’Iya Kaiama, announced his decision at a well-attended declaration in Ilorin, citing the need for unity and collective progress.

The APC stalwart, who had been at the forefront of the agitation for Kwara North to produce the next governor, said his decision was taken after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

He described the move as a strategic sacrifice aimed at fostering cohesion across the state’s political landscape.

Dantsoho endorsed Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki Gambari, describing him as a loyal party man with strong grassroots appeal and a commitment to development.

The former aspirant explained that his initial decision to join the governorship race was driven by this conviction, following extensive consultations with stakeholders across Kwara North. However, he said further engagements across the state revealed the urgent need for a unifying figure capable of bridging divides and strengthening cohesion among the people.

Addressing concerns from his Kwara North base, Dantsoho assured that his decision does not amount to abandoning the district’s aspirations but rather a strategic move to achieve them through unity.

“This is not a betrayal of our cause. Kwara North’s time is not denied; it is only deferred, and it will come through unity,” he said.

Dantsoho also used the occasion to commend President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, and security agencies for their response to the recent Woro incident, while urging authorities to intensify efforts toward rescuing abducted victims and supporting affected families.

Kwara Central, regarded as the “mother district” in the state, remains the largest voting bloc and a decisive factor in governorship elections.

Observers believe the development could alter the dynamics of the 2027 race, particularly within the APC, as alignments continue to take shape.