An All Progressives Congress pressure group in Kwara State, the Kwara Political Leaders of Thought, has rejected calls to zone the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that competence, capacity, and character should take precedence over senatorial considerations.

The group’s stance comes amid increasing agitation from some political leaders and organisations in Kwara North Senatorial District, who argue that the zone should be allowed to produce the APC’s governorship candidate in 2027, having never done so since the state was created.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the group’s leader, Mohammed Mariam Alhassan, said the next governor of Kwara could come from any of the three senatorial districts, North, South, or Central, provided the individual can confront the state’s pressing challenges, particularly insecurity.

Alhassan argued that zoning based on sentiment or a “turn-by-turn” approach could be counterproductive at a time when the state is grappling with serious security threats. According to him, leadership selection should be driven by proven track records and the capacity to deliver results, rather than sectional demands.

He warned the APC national leadership and the Presidency to exercise caution in handling the governorship ticket, noting that Kwara’s current realities require sober and strategic decision-making. He described parts of the state as being under severe security pressure, citing increased cases of banditry and violent crimes across several local government areas.

While acknowledging efforts by the state government under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu, Alhassan said many communities remain unsafe, with livelihoods threatened and public confidence shaken. He stressed that these conditions demand strong and competent leadership, not political calculations rooted in zoning.

According to him, if the most qualified candidate emerges from Kwara North, the party should support such a person without hesitation. The same principle, he said, should apply if the candidate comes from Kwara South or Central.

The group also cautioned traditional rulers in the state to remain neutral and avoid partisan politics, warning that involvement in political battles could undermine their moral authority and unifying role.

The zoning debate within the Kwara APC has continued to intensify as the 2027 elections draw closer. While some stakeholders from Kwara North insist the zone deserves the governorship slot, groups like KPLOT argue that the state’s security and governance challenges make competence the overriding factor in choosing the next leader.