Political Earthquake in Kwara: North Threatens Revolt Over Guber Ticket as Governor Endorses Amb. Yahaya Seriki By Zubair M A

Political Earthquake in Kwara: North Threatens Revolt Over Guber Ticket as Governor Endorses Amb. Yahaya Seriki By Zubair M A 

Stakeholders vow to Mobilise Massive Protest Votes at the polls

 20th May 2026

The political atmosphere in Kwara North has entered a critical phase following the endorsement of Amb. Yahaya Seriki by H.E Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a development many stakeholders believe has further weakened the long-standing agitation for the governorship ticket to be ceded to the region. For years, political leaders, youth groups and advocacy platforms across the five local governments of Kwara North passionately canvassed for fairness, equity and power rotation, insisting that the region deserved an opportunity to produce the next governor of Kwara State. However, the inability of the agitation to yield tangible political results has left many residents frustrated and deeply disillusioned with the political establishment.

*Insecurity, Banditry and widespread Kidnapping grounds economic activity in the region* 

Beyond politics, Kwara North continues to grapple with worsening insecurity characterized by deadly kidnappings, violent attacks and growing banditry across several communities. Farmers now abandon farmlands out of fear, travelers move with uncertainty, while rural settlements have become increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements. Many citizens argue that despite repeated appeals to government authorities, the region has not received the urgent security intervention required to restore confidence and economic stability. The deteriorating security situation has further strengthened the feeling among residents that Kwara North has been abandoned at a critical moment.

*Lack of Key infrastructures and basic Amenities in the region*

The developmental realities across the region have equally fueled resentment among the people. From deplorable road networks linking major communities to persistent electricity shortages, inadequate access to portable drinking water and poor healthcare facilities, many parts of Kwara North remain trapped in infrastructural decay. Rising unemployment and increasing youth restiveness have further compounded the social crisis, with many young people expressing frustration over the absence of economic opportunities and meaningful government interventions. Across the region, there is a growing perception that development has remained uneven and largely unfavorable to Kwara North despite its enormous contributions to the political strength of the ruling party.

*Senator Sadiq Umar and the micro zoning disruption*

Political tensions were further heightened by the renewed controversy surrounding the Kwara North Senatorial seat following the re-emergence of Senator Sadiq Umar. Critics argue that his political ambitions have distorted the long-standing micro-zoning arrangement that many stakeholders insist rightfully cedes the senatorial position to Patigi Local Government Area in the spirit of fairness and inclusiveness. For many observers, the disagreement reflects a deeper crisis within the regional political structure, where personal ambitions are increasingly seen as overriding collective agreements and historical political balancing arrangements.

*Kwara North Agenda Frontliners aggressive campaign frustrations*

Another layer of frustration has emerged from grievances directed at the frontliners of the Kwara North Agenda movement over what many describe as an aggressive and selective political campaign in favor of the Speaker Kwara State of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu. Several party loyalists and grassroots supporters believe the movement gradually shifted away from a collective regional struggle into a personality-driven project that alienated key stakeholders and weakened broader unity. This perception has triggered internal disagreements among political actors who now question the sincerity and direction of the Kwara North political movement.

*Controversial Direct primaries by the ruling party* 

Within the ruling party itself, signs of internal breakdown have become increasingly visible, particularly following recent direct primary elections that exposed deep cracks among party faithfuls. Aggrieved members openly complained about alleged imposition, lack of internal democracy and marginalization of grassroots voices. The fallout from these primaries has created sharp divisions across different camps within the party structure, with many longtime supporters expressing disappointment over what they consider a gradual collapse of trust, inclusiveness and collective decision-making processes that once strengthened the party in the region.

*Region Vows to Mobilise Massive Protest votes ahead of 2027 elections*

As criticism mounts against some of the policies and projects of the AbdulRazaq administration, many residents of Kwara North insist the region has suffered systematic neglect and marginalization in resource allocation and developmental priorities. This growing dissatisfaction is now fueling discussions around what many describe as the “nuclear option” — massive protest votes aimed at sending a strong political message to Kwara State’s power structure. Across towns and communities, there is increasing sentiment that the people of Kwara North can no longer remain silent while facing insecurity, infrastructural decay and political exclusion. For many voters, the next electoral cycle may become more than a contest of party loyalty; it may evolve into a referendum on equity, inclusion and the future political relevance of Kwara North within the state.

Zubair M A is a political analyst and writes from Kwara State.