A fresh political crisis is brewing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State following the emergence of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s cousin, AbdulRahman Giwa, as a governorship aspirant on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Giwa’s emergence has intensified speculation over widening cracks within the Kwara APC and alleged underground political realignments ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Sources told SaharaReporters that his decision to seek the governorship seat on an opposition platform had introduced fresh intrigue into the contest to succeed AbdulRazaq.
The development came days after the NDC gained national attention after the alignment of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with the platform.
Sources within the party said the NDC recently moved to establish structures in Kwara State.
The party reportedly held a congress around Noktel Hotel in the Government Reserved Area of Ilorin last week.
At the congress, the party’s state executive committee members were elected and inaugurated as part of efforts to strengthen its presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Posters Spark Controversy
The entrance of AbdulRazaq’s cousin into the governorship race under the NDC has triggered discussions across political camps in Kwara, especially within the APC, where succession calculations have continued to generate rivalries.
The controversy deepened after campaign posters promoting Giwa’s gubernatorial ambition surfaced on social media.
The posters were reportedly circulated by Alhaji Abdul-Razhaq Abubakar Jiddah, the Special Adviser to the governor on Special Duties.
A source said the involvement of a serving aide to the governor in promoting Giwa’s aspiration had fuelled allegations of possible tacit support or sympathy for the emerging political movement within some circles of the current administration.
Several APC stakeholders who spoke privately expressed concern that the development could worsen existing divisions within the party ahead of the succession battle.
Alleged Opposition Links Resurface
The latest political drama has revived earlier allegations linking Governor AbdulRazaq with opposition figures and parties in the state.
Last year, political circles in Kwara were awash with claims that the governor was fraternising with leaders of the African Democratic Congress amid speculation over underground alliances ahead of future political realignments.
The allegations gained momentum after AbdulRazaq and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, were reportedly seen together at the Alhamdulillah Mosque in the Flower Garden area of GRA, Ilorin.
Their meeting triggered speculation over possible behind-the-scenes negotiations ahead of the 2027 transition in politics in the state.
However, both the Kwara State Government and the ADC leadership denied claims of any political alliance at the time.
Reacting then, a chieftain of the ADC and former Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Prof. Isa Gana, dismissed claims that AbdulRazaq was secretly funding the party.
Gana said, “How will Governor AbdulRazaq be funding a party that is out to wrest power from his own party, the APC?
“The ADC is seriously working to offer Kwarans a credible alternative in 2027, and we are not part of any arrangement with the state government.”
He described the reports as false and mischievous.
