About 105 aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have been disqualified from contesting the party's House of Assembly primaries for the 2027 elections. The screening, conducted last Tuesday in Ilorin by national party officials, saw only 53 out of 158 aspirants cleared to proceed. A document titled 'All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2027 General Election' was posted at the APC secretariat in Ilorin, listing those who failed the screening.
Several incumbent lawmakers seeking re-election were among those declared "uncleared." All lawmakers from Kwara Central were cleared except Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu, representing Alanamu/Ajikobi constituency. In Kwara South, Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu of Omupo and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq of Share/Oke-Ode were both screened out. Others affected include Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq, and Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga, representing Oke-Ero, Isin, and Essa/Shawo/Igboidun constituencies respectively.
Lawmakers from Oyun Local Government Area, including Deputy Speaker Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, were cleared. In Kwara North, both serving lawmakers from Moro Local Government who sought re-election passed the screening. Hon. Issa Gideon, representing Edu Constituency and currently under suspension by the Assembly, was not cleared for a second term.
Three serving lawmakers did not apply for re-election: Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Sali, who obtained a gubernatorial form and underwent screening in Abuja; Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel, who picked a House of Representatives form for Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero federal seat; and the member representing Ekiti constituency, who also did not obtain a form.
Prof. Success Musa, chairman of the screening committee, said the 158 aspirants reflect the APC's growing popularity in Kwara. "I learnt we have 158 aspirants for the House of Assembly alone. That is democracy. That is what APC represents," Musa said. The outcome has sparked tension among some lawmakers and supporters, particularly those seeking second or third terms. The Kwara State House of Assembly has 24 members drawn from 16 local government areas.
The APC cleared its Deputy Speaker but disqualified several other incumbents, including those from key constituencies, while its Speaker bypassed re-election entirely for a gubernatorial run. This uneven outcome raises questions about internal party standards, especially as some suspended or controversial lawmakers were blocked while others advanced. The screening may weaken certain loyalists in the Assembly ahead of 2027. Voters in affected constituencies now face uncertain replacements in a party that claims broad democratic appeal.
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