Ahead of the 2027 elections, stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have formally endorsed the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Lola Ashiru, for the governorship seat.

The endorsement was the highlight of a consultative meeting of various APC groups held on Wednesday at the Omo Ibile Igbomina House in Ganmo. In a communique released after the session, the stakeholders argued that the state's highest office should not be the exclusive preserve of any specific bloc, group, or senatorial district.

The document, signed by the chairman and secretary of the Communique Drafting Committee, Pastor Elisha Odenike and Mr. Oluwasogo Lawal, noted that all three senatorial districts in Kwara boast capable and competent progressives.

"In this regard, the meeting expressed strong confidence in leaders such as the Deputy Majority Leader of the 10th Senate, Senator Lola Ashiru, and strongly encouraged such leaders to offer themselves for higher service," the communique stated.

Furthermore, the Ifelodun APC groups urged the party's leadership at both the state and national levels to prioritize fairness, equity, and internal democracy during the selection process for the party's governorship candidate. They emphasized that an inclusive approach is essential for maintaining party unity ahead of the 2027 polls.

They expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections presented a strong opportunity for the APC to secure victory in Kwara State, both at the governorship level and in legislative contests.

Arguing that Kwara South, like other senatorial districts, is home to tested and progressive leaders, the stakeholders stressed that their experience and track records qualified them for higher responsibilities at the state and national levels.

The stakeholders condemned what they described as distractions driven by self-serving narratives, including the "Igbomina Lokan" agitation.

They alleged that the campaign was intended to marginalise credible aspirants from Ifelodun Local Government Area, particularly in the House of Representatives race, in favour of candidates from two other local government areas.

"Notably, these same 'Igbomina Lokan' propagandists have dominated the other Kwara South federal constituency for over 25 years to the exclusion of Ekiti and Oke Ero local government areas, and now seek to extend such dominance to the Senate seat through political manoeuvring.

"This agenda is unacceptable and will be firmly resisted," the communique stated.

The meeting called on all credible and competent progressives from Ifelodun LGA to contest the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.

Stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, President Bola Tinubu, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

They also pledged unity, discipline, and strategic mobilisation to strengthen the party while legitimately advancing the political interests of Kwara South and Ifelodun LGA.

The meeting also expressed sympathy with communities in Ifelodun affected by banditry over the past 18 months and commended the Federal Government's response.

It called for sustained military operations to bandit hideouts across Kwara South to restore lasting peace and security.