Kwara PDP Faces Issues as Two Groups Pick Governorship Candidates

The problems in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have grown in Kwara State. Two rival groups within the party have chosen different candidates for the 2027 governorship elections.

The faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, which includes former Governor Bukola Saraki, announced Kale Kawu as their candidate. They reached this decision through a consensus arrangement set up by Mr Saraki, where other candidates stepped aside for Mr Kawu.

But this unity did not last long. On Sunday, the Kabir Turaki (SAN) faction named another close ally of Mr Saraki, Ladi Hassan, as their candidate. This new development has raised concerns among party members and political watchers about a possible legal battle over the PDP ticket for the upcoming election.

Kwara PDP Secretary, Kayode Abdulrahman, reacted strongly to this announcement. He criticized Mr Hassan’s nomination, claiming it was planned by outside forces to cause trouble in the party. He noted that Mr Hassan lost in the faction’s primary but then appeared through what he called an unrecognized faction.

"For him to have emerged as a governorship candidate in the fake PDP that is not recognized by INEC speaks volumes. He must have been sponsored by people outside our party. But I assure you they can’t succeed," Mr Abdulrahman said.

This situation has exposed deeper divisions within the party just as it tries to prepare for the next elections. Political observers warned that if the crisis continues, it could hurt the PDP’s chances of winning in the state.

A political group within the party, the Kwara Patriotic Movement (Itesiwaju Kwara), is calling for Mr Hassan’s immediate suspension. They accuse him of breaking the consensus agreement that led to Mr Kale’s nomination. This statement was signed by the group’s secretary, Uthman Kabir, and publicity secretary, Yusuf Dare.

"For 48 hours, Kwara Patriotic Movement waited for clarity, for correction, for honour. What we saw instead was Mr Ladi Hassan, a signatory to the PDP’s sacred consensus agreement, standing openly with the faction working to undermine that same agreement," the statement said.

The group emphasized that consensus is key for stability within the party. They believe agreements made among party members should be respected instead of being thrown away for personal gain.

"A consensus agreement is not a campaign flyer you discard when another offer looks brighter. It is the glue that holds a party together," they stated. They also praised Mr Saraki for his dedication to keeping the party united and well-structured.

The group warned that failing to maintain discipline could damage the PDP’s chances in future elections. They urged party leaders to take strong actions against Mr Hassan.

"Party discipline is not punishment. It is protection. It protects the integrity of our process, the confidence of our members, and the future of our governorship ambition," the statement added.

They insisted that the PDP state leadership must suspend Mr Hassan, stressing the need for the party to decide between "discipline or decay."

As of now, neither Mr Hassan nor the Kwara State PDP leadership has publicly responded to these allegations. With both factions standing firm, the focus may shift to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and possibly the courts to sort out who the rightful candidate of the PDP in Kwara State will be.