2027 Election: Yoruba Leaders Reject Zoning of Kwara Governorship Ticket, Give Reason
- The leaders and political stakeholders from Kwara South Senatorial District have made known their stand ahead of the 2027 governorship election
- The Yoruba leaders said they have rejected the proposed zoning of the Kwara governorship seat in the 2027 elections
- The stakeholders meeting was convened by Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, the Director General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Kwara state - The Yoruba people in Kwara state have rejected zoning of the governorship seat ahead of the 2027 election.
The leaders of thought and political stakeholders from Kwara South Senatorial District insisted that the office is open to all qualified Kwarans.
Source: UGC
The Yoruba leaders declared that there is no provision for zoning in either the party or Nigeria’s constitution.
They stressed that competence and capacity should remain the major yardsticks for the 2027 governorship contest.
The stakeholders stated this while speaking at the Kwara South Leaders’ Roundtable Meeting held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Gbenab Hotels, Oro in Irepodun local government.
Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, the Director General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), convened the stakeholders meeting.
Their position underscores growing tension over succession politics in the state as the Kwara North have continued to press for a zoning arrangement in 2027.
This declaration signals that Kwara South intends to compete fully for the seat and resist any attempt to sideline its interests.
The Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, said the governorship seat has never been zoned to any particular district since the creation of Kwara state.
This is contained in a statement made available to Legit.ng on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Ashuru lamented about attempts by some political leaders to blackmail the rest of the state on the zoning issue.
“I said it last year, and I repeat it today: there is no zoning arrangement anywhere. We reject it in its entirety. We have competent people everywhere who can govern this state in 2027.”
The Kwara South APC Senatorial District Chairman, Olayemi Olabanji, warned against undermining the district in future political permutations.
Barrister Abiodun Dada stressed that the governorship cannot be tied to any senatorial district.
“It is a must we make it clear at this stage that the governorship of Kwara State does not belong to any senatorial district. It is the birthright of every Kwaran. On this note, no emotion or blackmail can work on some of us. There is no zoning arrangement in the constitution or in the guidance of Nigeria’s political system, especially that of Kwara,”
Source: Original
PDP zones 2027 presidential ticket to south
Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made a crucial announcement ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The PDP announced that it has decided to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern part of the country.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, shared more details about the party's decision ahead of the 2027 election.
2027: "Zone presidency to south," PDP stakeholders
In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that at a meeting hosted by FCT minister Nyesom Wike, some concerned leaders in the People Democratic Party agreed that the party must zone its presidential ticket to the South in 2027
They made the call to the leadership of the PDP after meeting with Wike in Abuja on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The stakeholders also insisted that Senator Sam Anyanwu remains the national secretary of the party.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
