AbdulRazaq Backs Yahaya Seriki as APC Gubernatorial Successor in Kwara

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has endorsed Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as his preferred candidate to succeed him in the 2026 governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The endorsement comes ahead of the party’s governorship primaries scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, following what the governor described as extensive consultations with APC leaders and stakeholders across the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, AbdulRazaq described Seriki as a youthful, experienced and people-oriented politician with deep grassroots connections and long-standing influence within the party structure in Kwara State.

The governor, however, stressed that his endorsement should not be interpreted as the exclusion of other aspirants, noting that the party’s primary election remains open to all qualified contestants.

He appealed to party members to support Seriki’s aspiration, saying the move was aimed at consolidating unity within the APC and sustaining its electoral strength in the state.

According to him, the decision reflects a broader effort to maintain cohesion within the party ahead of the governorship primaries, while also building on the achievements of his administration.

AbdulRazaq emphasized that the endorsement was not intended to undermine other aspirants, but to guide party members towards what he described as a strategic choice for continuity and stability.

He also commended other governorship hopefuls for their discipline and contributions to the growth of the party, saying their participation reflects the strength of the APC in Kwara.

In his statement, the governor said: “Following extensive consultations with party structures and leadership, I am pleased to endorse Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki (MFR) as my preferred successor under the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

He described Seriki as “young, pro-people, astute and broad-minded,” adding that his political experience and grassroots goodwill make him well-suited for the position.

AbdulRazaq further stated that while other aspirants remain free to contest, party members should consider Seriki as the preferred choice for continuity, unity and progress within the APC.

He added that the governorship race features several capable individuals, but only one candidate would ultimately emerge through the primary process.

The governor also praised the level of maturity demonstrated by aspirants in the ongoing political process, noting that their conduct reflects commitment to party development and democratic ideals.

Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, a native of Ilorin, has long been a key figure in Kwara politics and the ruling APC structure in the state.

He previously contested for the governorship ticket of the party in 2019 and is widely regarded as a prominent chieftain within the APC.

Seriki also played a key role in the political movement that brought AbdulRazaq into office in 2019, having served as Director-General of the governor’s campaign.

He was among the early supporters who backed AbdulRazaq during the “O To Ge” political movement that ended the dominance of the political structure associated with former Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara State.

With the endorsement, political attention in the state is expected to intensify ahead of Thursday’s APC governorship primaries as stakeholders position for the party’s ticket.