2027: 30 affiliate groups support Tinubu, other APC candidates in Kwara

Over 30 affiliate sociopolitical groups in Kwara State, under the aegis of the Oniyangi Progressive Alliance (OPA), have pledged to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state.

The alliance also declared support for the governorship ambition of Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s senatorial bid for Kwara Central district ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Coordinator of OPA, Hon. Mohammed Kamal Deen, disclosed the alliance’s political direction at a press briefing.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the Coordinator of the group, Hon. Mohammed Kamaldeen, said the organisation was committed to strengthening the APC’s electoral prospects through grassroots mobilisation, unity and effective communication.

Kamaldeen said the alliance, under the leadership of Mallam Abdul Azeez Yinka Oniyangi, had grown to accommodate more than 30 affiliate groups, reflecting its commitment to political inclusion and coordinated grassroots participation.

He said the alliance believed that electoral success required more than enthusiasm, stressing the importance of adequate preparation, teamwork and sustained engagement with the electorate.

“As an alliance, we are determined to contribute meaningfully to the success of the APC in 2027,” he said.

Explaining its choice of candidates, Kamaldeen said OPA believed AbdulRazaq’s experience in governance would be valuable to Kwara Central district at the National Assembly, adding that Danladi possessed qualities required to lead the state.

“We believe Kwara deserves leadership that combines experience, energy, competence and a genuine commitment to the people,” he said.

He added that the alliance’s position was informed by the need to promote fairness, justice, inclusion and a sense of belonging among the various sections of the state.

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The coordinator, however, emphasised that achieving the alliance’s political objectives would require cooperation among supporters and campaign organisations rather than unnecessary rivalry.

According to him, OPA will pursue a coordinated mobilisation strategy to support the APC’s candidates at all levels while respecting the responsibilities of their respective campaign structures.

On its grassroots strategy, Kamaldeen said the alliance was strengthening coordination among its affiliate groups to ensure effective mobilisation and wider community engagement.

He noted that the organisation’s approach would go beyond political campaigns to include listening to the concerns of residents and communicating its positions in language accessible to the people.

To strengthen its public engagement, he said OPA was also developing its Central Media Coordinating Directorate, which would oversee editorial production, digital and social media, field documentation, media monitoring, and radio and broadcast communication.

“Our goal is to move beyond simply announcing activities. We intend to document our work, share verified information, maintain consistent messaging, engage the public and build a productive relationship with media organisations,” he said.

Kamaldeen described credibility, accuracy and responsible communication as essential to earning public confidence, adding that the alliance welcomed constructive questions and fair reporting from media organisations.

He also urged members of the affiliate groups, women, youths, coordinators and other supporters to remain united, disciplined and committed to peaceful political participation.

The coordinator cautioned members against misinformation, intimidation, personal attacks and actions capable of creating divisions within the alliance.

He said OPA intended to measure its relevance not merely by the number of groups under its umbrella but also by the quality of its organisation, its grassroots relationships and its contributions to Kwara’s political development.

“The journey to 2027 has begun, and our responsibility is to prepare with purpose,” Kamal Deen said.

He reiterated the alliance’s commitment to supporting AbdulRazaq’s senatorial ambition, Danladi’s governorship bid, other APC candidates in Kwara State and Tinubu’s re-election.

Kamaldeen expressed confidence that the alliance’s growing network and coordinated grassroots activities would contribute to its political objectives, while pledging continued engagement with the media in the interest of democratic participation and the development of Kwara State.