*Kwara North 2027: Why Danladi Has Become the People’s Choice*
*_Malik Omotosho Kareem (Nino)_*
Politics in Kwara State has entered a defining moment. For the first time in many years, the conversation is no longer just about political structures, endorsements, or elite calculations. The conversation has shifted to fairness, inclusion, competence, and the collective desire to give every part of the state a sense of belonging. At the center of that conversation today is Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu-Danladi — a man many Kwarans now see as the symbol of a long-awaited political balancing.
His emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 election has changed the political atmosphere in the state. It has reignited the hope of many people across Kwara North who believe their time has finally come after decades of waiting.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, power in Kwara State has largely revolved around Kwara Central and Kwara South. While Kwara North remains the largest senatorial district by landmass and one of the most politically loyal regions in the state, many of its people have consistently argued that they have not been given a fair opportunity to lead the state. This agitation has grown stronger over the years, not out of bitterness, but out of a sincere desire for equity, inclusion, and political justice.
Today, that dream appears closer than ever.
What makes the Danladi movement different is that it is not built solely around sentiment or regional emotions. Many supporters believe he represents a blend of youthfulness, experience, humility, accessibility, and administrative maturity. As Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, he has remained one of the most visible political figures in the state and has built relationships that cut across the three senatorial districts.
Beyond politics, his supporters often point to his calm disposition, loyalty to party structure, and grassroots connection as qualities that have helped him gain acceptance beyond Kwara North. In many communities today, his name is no longer discussed as merely a “Kwara North candidate.” Increasingly, he is being seen as a unifying figure capable of sustaining political stability while also addressing the long-standing feelings of exclusion among many northern communities.
Importantly, the conversation around Kwara North cannot be complete without acknowledging the role of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON. The Governor deserves commendation for the maturity, leadership, and political understanding he has demonstrated regarding the Kwara North aspiration. At a time when politics in many places is driven purely by personal interests and power retention, AbdulRazaq has shown that leadership can also be guided by equity, justice, fairness, and inclusiveness.
By supporting the emergence of a candidate from Kwara North, the Governor has sent a powerful message that every region in Kwara matters and deserves a sense of belonging. Many party loyalists and political observers believe this decision will further strengthen unity within the APC and deepen trust among the senatorial districts. It is a move that many see not just as political calculation, but as statesmanship.
The political significance of Danladi’s emergence therefore goes beyond ordinary party politics. It represents a moment where justice and competence appear to meet at the same point. His victory at the APC primary reflected months of consultations, alignments, and growing public sentiment that the state should embrace fairness without compromising capacity.
For many young people in Kwara, Danladi’s emergence also symbolizes generational progress. At a time when citizens increasingly desire leaders who are energetic, approachable, and connected to the realities of ordinary people, his candidacy appears to fit the mood of the moment. His rise from grassroots politics to becoming Speaker and now governorship candidate resonates strongly with many party supporters who see his journey as inspiring and relatable.
There is also a deeper message behind the growing support for him: unity through inclusion. Many stakeholders believe that allowing Kwara North to produce the governor after nearly 28 years would strengthen the bond among the senatorial districts and deepen the spirit of collective ownership in the state’s leadership. Rather than divide the state, the power shift conversation has increasingly become a rallying point for balance, fairness, and political stability.
No political journey is without opposition, debates, or differing opinions. That is the nature of democracy. However, what remains undeniable is that Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi has emerged as one of the strongest political forces in Kwara today. From Baruten to Kaiama, from Ilorin to Offa, conversations about 2027 are already revolving around his candidacy and what it could mean for the future of the state.
As the political season gradually unfolds, one message continues to echo across Kwara: after 28 years, many believe the time has finally come for Kwara North. And in the eyes of thousands of supporters, Danladi is not just a candidate — he is the face of that long-awaited possibility.
