The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has screened out 105 aspirants seeking tickets for the 2027 State House of Assembly elections, dealing a major blow to several serving lawmakers hoping to return to the chamber.
The outcome of the screening exercise, published Thursday at the party secretariat in Ilorin, showed that only 53 out of the 158 aspirants who purchased nomination forms were cleared to continue in the race.
Several incumbent lawmakers were among those disqualified by the screening committee.
In Kwara Central, nearly all lawmakers seeking another term made the list of cleared candidates, except Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu, who represents Alanamu/Ajikobi Constituency.
The situation was tougher in Kwara South, where a number of sitting lawmakers failed to scale through the screening process.
Those affected include Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu of Omupo Constituency and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq of Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, both from Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Others declared uncleared were Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq and Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga, representing Oke-Ero, Isin and Essa/Shawo/Igboidun constituencies respectively.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from Oyun Local Government Area, including Deputy Speaker Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, successfully passed the screening.
In Kwara North, the two lawmakers from Moro Local Government Area seeking re-election were also cleared. However, Hon. Issa Gideon, representing Edu Constituency and currently under suspension over alleged misconduct, did not make the list.
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency did not contest for assembly tickets.
Danladi-Salihu is reportedly focusing on the APC governorship race, while Gabriel is said to be eyeing a House of Representatives seat.
Before the exercise began, the chairman of the screening committee, Prof. Success Musa, described the large number of aspirants as proof of the APC’s growing popularity in the state.
The outcome has already sparked tension among some lawmakers and their supporters, especially those denied clearance to seek another term under the ruling party.
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