2027 Polls: APC Screening Panel Disqualifies Over 100 Kwara Assembly Aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly disqualified more than 100 aspirants seeking to contest for seats in the Kwara State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The affected aspirants were marked “uncleared” in a screening report issued by the party’s selection committee titled *“All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2027 General Election.”*

The document showed names of aspirants drawn from various constituencies across the state, including Ilorin South, Ilorin West, Moro, Edu, Asa and Baruten local government areas, many of whom were disqualified at the screening stage.

Among those listed from Ilorin South were Rilwan Olawale Sulyman, Hauwau Alabi-Bashir, Ayinla Bolaji Abdulfatai, Afusat Nike, Issa Abubakar Al Fulani, Bello Aliu Olamilekan and Jimoh Raheem Agboola.

From Ilorin West, affected aspirants included Yinka Suleiman, Mukhtar Abdulgafar Omotosho, Yahaya Duro Uthman Hambali, Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, Laaro Rasheed Oladimeji and Bayero Yahaya.

Others from Moro, Edu, Asa and Baruten constituencies included Wole-Oke Olayiwola, Oniwa Isiaka Funmilayo, Adetunji Iyiola Alabi, Yisa Gideon Shaba, Wonchiko Abdullahi, Job Diadia Jiya, Rukayat Sidiq, Adisa Jimoh Olanrewaju and Alhassan Saidu Bonni.

Party sources familiar with the exercise said the large-scale disqualification was part of efforts to streamline the contest and promote consensus candidates ahead of the primaries.

A senior APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the move was aimed at reducing internal competition and strengthening party unity.

“The party is working to ensure consensus candidates emerge in most constituencies to avoid unnecessary rancour,” the source said.

The official added that several aspirants were dropped for alleged breaches of party guidelines and constitutional provisions governing eligibility.

However, the development has already stirred concern within party ranks, with some members questioning the transparency of the screening process and warning of possible internal disputes ahead of the elections.

As of press time, the Kwara State chapter of the APC had yet to issue an official reaction to the reported disqualification.

Recall that the party had earlier screened 158 aspirants vying for 24 seats in the state House of Assembly as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The screening exercise, conducted on Monday, May 11, attracted aspirants from across the 16 local government areas of the state, with the party leadership describing the turnout as a sign of growing confidence in the APC.

Chairman of the screening committee, Prof. Success Musa, had earlier noted that the high number of aspirants reflected the party’s expanding base in Kwara State.

“I learnt we have 158 aspirants for the House of Assembly alone. That is democracy. That is what APC represents,” he said during the exercise.

In a related development, the APC National Working Committee recently approved a waiver of screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the party’s presidential primary, citing constitutional provisions and his prior clearance in the 2022 exercise.