Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday dismissed speculations that he has endorsed or plans to anoint a successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will conduct an open and merit-based primary.

The governor spoke in Ilorin during the party's State Congress amid growing rumours that he had concluded plans to back a candidate from Kwara North Senatorial District.

"For those who will contest and whoever eventually emerges, it is not about anyone anointing anybody.

"We are not here to build a dynasty; we are here to build a legacy. Whoever succeeds me will build on this foundation and strive to do better," he said.

Although he did not directly address zoning, his remarks were widely interpreted as a response to succession debates, particularly calls for power rotation among the three senatorial districts.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that six governorship aspirants, including a member of the State House of Assembly, had already indicated interest in the race, describing the anticipated contest as tough but beneficial for internal democracy.

"When I speak of healthy competition, I mean it will be tough. Even from within our State House of Assembly, we have six governorship aspirants altogether. Moving forward, it will indeed be a healthy contest," he said.

He urged aspirants and stakeholders to prioritise unity before and after the primaries, stressing the need for inclusiveness.

"It will be healthy competition among those who aspire to succeed, and I urge whoever emerges victorious to carry along those who do not succeed in order to foster unity as one family," he added.

The governor also claimed that the opposition had weakened nationally and within Kwara State, noting that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defected to the APC, while others joined the African Democratic Congress.

"As you can see, the opposition has collapsed nationally, especially in Kwara State," he said. Despite the perceived dominance, he maintained that the APC would not take its position for granted ahead of the 2027 polls.

AbdulRazaq highlighted achievements in infrastructure, education and healthcare over the past six years, arguing that his administration had significantly transformed the state.

Observers note that succession debates and calls for regional balancing among Kwara Central, Kwara North and Kwara South have quietly shaped political alignments in recent months.

However, the governor insisted that competence and party processes not zoning or endorsement will determine the APC's eventual candidate for 2027.

"We have raised the bar in Kwara State, and our successor will take it even further," he said.