A prominent Christian coalition in Kwara State has formally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider a Christian candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, citing fairness and inclusion.
Fairness, Not Religious Politics
The Conglomerate of Kwara State Christian Communities made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Ilorin, addressing members of the Correspondents' Chapel . The group stressed that its demand is not a call for religious politics but a request for balanced political representation that prioritizes competence and capacity .
"Our appeal is not about religion replacing competence. Rather, it is about ensuring that competence is given the opportunity to thrive within an inclusive political framework," said Rev. Felix Ajide, convener of the group .
Historical Context and Competence
The group noted that the last time Kwara State was governed by a Christian was during General Theophilus Bamigboye's tenure, arguing that equity demands consideration for Christian candidates in the upcoming election cycle . They emphasized that the APC has competent Christian politicians within its ranks with experience and capacity to govern .
Among possible candidates, the group mentioned Engr. Femi Sanni (Araba) and Dr. Toyin Alabi as individuals possessing the required qualities for the governorship position .
Polling Data Supports Competence Over Religion
The Christian community cited findings from the Africa Polling Institute (API), which indicated that Kwarans prioritize competence over religious identity when selecting leaders. According to the survey, 90% of Muslim respondents expressed willingness to support a competent Christian candidate, while 98% of Christian respondents would support a competent Muslim candidate . Additionally, 93% of respondents indicated they would support a good candidate regardless of religious background .
The group argued that these findings reflect Kwara's tradition of religious tolerance and demonstrate that voters prioritize leadership qualities over faith considerations .
APC Leadership and Party Dynamics
The appeal comes amid intensifying succession battles within the Kwara APC as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approaches the end of his second and final term in 2027 . The party has been embroiled in internal tensions over the emergence of Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu as the alleged preferred candidate, with some groups rejecting his candidacy .
Rev. Ajide reaffirmed the Christian community's commitment to peaceful coexistence with Muslims and support for any process that produces competent, people-centred leadership . The group expressed confidence that President Tinubu, described as a leader committed to equity and inclusiveness, would give due consideration to the appeal .
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