The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State on Sunday held a rally in Ilorin to celebrate the successful conclusion of its primary elections and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and the party's candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tagged the 'Kwara Ndupe Rally', the event attracted thousands of party supporters who marched through major roads across the state capital, beginning from Queen Elizabeth School through Surulere, Oja-Oba and Post Office before terminating at the APC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area (GRA).

Speaking at the rally, the Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Oba Abdulkadri, expressed delight at the impressive turnout, describing it as a clear indication of the unity within the APC.

"We are very happy. As you can see, everyone is in a joyous mood," he said.

Commenting on the party's prospects in the state, Mr Abdulkadri maintained that the APC remained well-positioned to sustain its dominance.

"The future in Kwara State is APC from top to bottom, by the grace of Allah. The future is very bright. We are not afraid. We will continue to remain united and work together for the progress of the party and the state," he added.

The Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Sa'adu Salau, said the party was ready to embark on issue-based campaigns and door-to-door mobilisation. He urged members to remain committed to securing victory at the polls.

"This rally must translate to PVC collection, voter registration and polling-unit victory in February 2027. There must not be complacency," he said.

"We will campaign on our record, not insults, because our party has a track record of road networks, schools, hospitals and regular payment of salaries to show Kwarans. The opposition has nothing."

The APC State Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout and said he was optimistic about the party's chances in the 2027 elections.

"With what I have seen here, it is fair to say that all our candidates are in. More people are still coming to join our party," Mr Fagbemi said through the Deputy Chairman, Abdullahi Samari.

He also appealed to aggrieved members to allow the party to address their concerns amicably.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Abdulateef Alakawa, described the rally as a demonstration of unity and appreciation.

Mr Alakawa said the emergence of candidates for various elective positions reflected the will of party members through the direct primary election process. According to him, the rally also served as a rehearsal for the 2027 general elections and reaffirmed the loyalty of Kwara APC members to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

"Power belongs to the people, and the people have spoken through the direct primary elections. We are grateful to God that the primaries were peaceful and successful, with our candidates emerging across the various positions," he said.

The APC candidate for the Kwara North Senatorial District, Ahmad Muhammad, thanked party members and the people of Kwara North for the confidence reposed in him during the primaries.

He also appreciated President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for their leadership and support, particularly the decision to zone the governorship ticket to Kwara North, describing the move as a reflection of fairness and inclusiveness within the party.

"We appreciate the people of Kwara State for allowing Kwara North to produce the next governor. Today's rally demonstrates the confidence and support the people have for the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq and the APC," he said.

Expressing confidence in the party's electoral chances, Mr Muhammad added: "We are confident of victory. APC has continued to enjoy the support of the people, and we believe that will be sustained."

The APC candidate for the Kwara South Senatorial District, Olalekan Adewoye, also thanked party leaders and members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.

Mr Adewoye described the APC as one united family and said the outcome of the primaries reflected the collective decision of party members.

"I am grateful to God and to the leadership of our party for the confidence reposed in me. Without their support, this would not have been possible," he said.

In his remarks, the APC candidate for the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the large turnout at the rally underscored the APC's strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"I feel great, excited, and grateful to the leaders and the structure of our party – starting from the President, His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, and all our leaders and party members across the three senatorial districts," Mr Ajakaye said.

"The crowd here is a testament to the fact that the APC is the party to beat. The election is ours to lose. We have won the elections before. The results were so overwhelming. This rally is organic enough."

He added: "You can see the support and the excitement. We are indeed grateful to the party faithful and, indeed, members of the public who also joined us during the rally."