Political and community leaders from Kwara South Senatorial District have firmly rejected calls for zoning the 2027 governorship election, insisting that competence and capacity not geographical rotation should determine who leads the state.

At a roundtable meeting held on Saturday in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, stakeholders declared that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) national guidelines provide for zoning arrangements.

The gathering, convened by Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Director General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), brought together key figures including Deputy Senate Leader Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, APC Senatorial Chairman for Kwara South Olayemi Olabanji, Hon. Owolabi Rasaq (House of Assembly member), and former APC State Chairman Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa.

Senator Ashiru reiterated his strong opposition to zoning, stating: "There is no zoning arrangement anywhere. We reject it in its entirety. We have competent people across the state who can govern in 2027."

Bolarinwa described the high-level turnout as a demonstration of unity and political clarity, adding that zoning lacks constitutional or legal foundation in Kwara's democratic practice.

"We have qualified candidates who can govern this state. We are not timid," he declared, urging party members to focus on vision, performance, and leadership quality ahead of the next election cycle.

The consensus underscores growing resistance within APC factions to institutionalised power rotation, with emphasis shifting toward merit-based candidacy.

Olabanji warned that no governorship candidate could succeed without the support of Kwara South, insisting that the district must not be undermined in political calculations. "Anyone who wants our support must negotiate with us," he said.

In his remarks, Hon. Rasaq called for greater attention to insecurity in the senatorial district, but also emphasised that Kwara South had the capacity to produce the next governor.

Barrister Abiodun Dada also rejected zoning claims, stressing that the governorship "is the birthright of every Kwaran" and cannot be restricted to any district.

The roundtable, themed "Unity for Progress: Charting a Sustainable Future for Kwara South", also praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing several Kwara South indigenes to key federal positions, describing the gesture as a sign of inclusion and fairness.

Saturday's resolution sets the stage for a heated contest in 2027, as it directly counters persistent demands from Kwara North leaders for the governorship to be zoned to their district.