18/05/2026
Senator Saliu Mustapha dismisses senatorial rumor, set for APC governorship primary
Senator Saliu Mustapha, a frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, has dismissed reports suggesting that he withdrew from or was defeated in the party’s ongoing senatorial primary election in Ilorin.
The senator said he never contested the Kwara Central Senatorial primary election and could therefore neither withdraw from nor lose an election he did not participate in.
Senator Mustapha, who currently represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, stated that he only obtained nomination forms to contest for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that he also underwent the party’s governorship screening exercise in Abuja earlier this month.
The statement further noted that Senator Mustapha is now set to participate in the APC governorship primary election scheduled to hold across Kwara State on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
He therefore urged his supporters and APC members across the state to troop out en masse to peacefully exercise their franchise during the exercise.
Senator Mustapha also expressed optimism that party delegates and stakeholders would find him worthy of flying the APC flag in the 2027 governorship election.
He added, however, that should the outcome turn otherwise, he would accept the result in good faith and in the spirit of political sportsmanship for which he is known.
The clarification followed the circulation of a purported list of aspirants for the APC senatorial primary bearing the senator’s name alongside that of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The development had sparked confusion within the ruling party, particularly after earlier statements from government officials maintained that the governor was the sole aspirant for the Kwara Central Senate seat.
In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Nasif Sholagberu, Senator Mustapha urged party members, journalists and members of the public to disregard any report or statement claiming that he participated in the senatorial primary election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Saliu Mustapha officially obtained APC nomination forms to contest for the Governorship of Kwara State in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections and not for the Senate,” the statement said.
“At no time did Senator Saliu Mustapha obtain nomination forms for the Senate, neither did he participate in or undergo any screening process for the senatorial contest.”
The statement described the documents and reports linking the senator to the senate primary as “forged, fake, misleading and of no consequence.”
Senator Mustapha also challenged anyone claiming otherwise to publicly provide credible evidence showing that he purchased senatorial nomination forms or participated in screening for the contest.
The senator had earlier publicly announced the submission of his governorship nomination and expression of interest forms, describing it as a significant step towards building a “more progressive and inclusive Kwara State.”
He had also openly confirmed his successful screening by the APC governorship screening committee in Abuja.
Despite the controversy surrounding the senatorial primary, Mr Mustapha’s media team had earlier called for peaceful conduct during the APC primaries across the state and expressed support for Governor AbdulRazaq’s senatorial ambition.
The senator’s camp, however, insisted that reports portraying him as a participant in the Kwara Central senatorial race were deliberate attempts by “mischief makers” to create confusion within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
