APC screens out 105 Kwara Assembly aspirants in major 2027 political shake-up

The All Progressives Congress has disqualified 105 aspirants vying for tickets into the Kwara State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections, following its screening exercise. According to the list displayed at the party secretariat in Ilorin and seen by The PUNCH, 158 aspirants purchased nomination forms, but only 53 were cleared to continue in the race after the screening process. The exercise affected several serving lawmakers seeking re-election, as a significant number were declared unfit to proceed by the screening committee. In Kwara Central, most incumbent lawmakers were cleared except Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu, who was screened out of the contest. In Kwara South, multiple sitting lawmakers, including Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq, also failed to secure clearance. Others affected include Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq, and Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga, who were all disqualified from continuing in the race for their constituencies. However, some lawmakers, including representatives from Oyun Local Government Area and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, made the cleared list. In Kwara North, some serving lawmakers from Moro Local Government Area were cleared, while Hon. Issa Gideon of Edu Constituency was also not cleared by the committee. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, did not seek re-election, as he is reportedly eyeing the governorship ticket. The party’s screening committee said the large number of aspirants reflected APC’s growing influence in Kwara State, even as the outcome has sparked tension among affected politicians and their supporters ahead of the primaries.