Fresh concerns have emerged over the state of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with a leading governorship aspirant, Engr. Femi Sanni, appealing to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to step into lingering internal disagreements before they threaten the party’s electoral fortunes.
Sanni, popularly known as Araba, warned that while the APC is still the dominant political party in the state, unresolved divisions among influential stakeholders could weaken its structure if left unattended.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governorship hopeful called for what he described as a sincere reconciliation process capable of restoring trust among party members and preventing avoidable fractures before political activities gather momentum.
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His call comes during a time when political parties are strategically calculating ahead of the 2027 general election with a view to reshaping alignments across several states, while leaders are equally seeking to consolidate their bases long before formal campaigns begin.
Sanni urged the APC’s national leadership to take a direct role in resolving disagreements within the Kwara chapter, afraid of the fact that internal peace may become unachievable unless every bloc feels fairly treated.
According to him, reconciliation should not produce perceived winners and losers but should instead create an atmosphere where all committed members feel respected and included.
Sanni said, “There is a need for all stakeholders to embrace true and sincere reconciliation built on mutual respect, understanding and a spirit of give-and-take. No meaningful peace can endure where there are perceived winners and losers. Every committed party member deserves to feel valued.”
He emphasised that President Tinubu, as the party’s national leader, alongside the National Working Committee, possesses the influence needed to rebuild confidence among party leaders in the state.
Warning against internal divisions
While expressing confidence in the APC’s electoral strength, Sanni cautioned that political dominance alone does not guarantee future victories.
He argued that internal disagreements, if ignored, could gradually erode the unity that has helped the party remain competitive in Kwara politics.
He said, “We are stronger together. APC remains the party to beat in Kwara State, but no individual or bloc should be taken for granted. Every stakeholder has a role to play in sustaining the party’s success and preparing it for victory in 2027.”
Without identifying the specific disagreements affecting the state chapter, his remarks point to concerns over relationships among party stakeholders as consultations ahead of the next governorship race begin to gather pace.
Early signals ahead of 2027
The appeal is an indication of how attention within major political parties is gradually shifting from opposition contests to managing internal cohesion.
Historically, internal disputes have shaped electoral outcomes in several states, with disagreements over leadership, candidate selection and power sharing often proving as consequential as contests against rival parties.
Against that background, Sanni’s statement suggests that some party members believe reconciliation should begin well before the APC enters another election cycle.
He expressed optimism that timely intervention by the party’s national leadership would strengthen the Kwara chapter and improve its chances of retaining power in the next governorship election.
For now, there has been no official response from either the APC National Working Committee or the Presidency to the appeal.
The development nevertheless highlights the delicate balance the ruling party faces as it prepares for another election season where managing internal interests may prove just as important as confronting political opponents.
