The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 will be made easier by the growing number of governors under the control of the ruling party.
Fagbemi stated this in Ilorin during a stakeholders’ engagement and the official flag-off of the APC’s e-registration and membership revalidation exercise.
According to him, the APC currently controls 30 states, a development he said has placed President Tinubu in a strong position ahead of the next general election.
“During our National Executive Committee meeting in December, Mr President took stock and realised that APC had 28 governors as of then. As of now, two more have joined or are on the brink of joining, meaning we now have about 30 governors,” Fagbemi said.
“Looking at this, it means the President’s re-election will be a smooth sail. What remains is for each of us at the sub national level to ensure we deliver our states,” he added.
Fagbemi also described Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as loyal and cooperative with the Federal Government.
“Governor AbdulRazaq is not arrogant, not headstrong, and not in unhealthy competition with the President. He does not think the President means nothing, and this attitude has reflected in the development the President has brought to Kwara, including the tax relief,” he said.
He noted that the ongoing registration and revalidation exercise marks the beginning of preparations for the 2027 elections.
“With this exercise, the foundation of next year’s election is being laid. It is about mobilising people to vote for the party so that you have people who will vote for you,” Fagbemi said.
Speaking at the event, Governor AbdulRazaq, who was recorded as the first registrant in the exercise in the state, said the process was aimed at strengthening the party and generating accurate data for effective planning.
He said all eligible persons willing to join the party must be allowed to do so, warning against exclusion during the exercise.
“It is important that we know how many of us are members of this exclusive club, which is arguably the biggest party in Africa. This is the only party that has developed Nigeria, the states, and the local governments,” AbdulRazaq said.
He added, “We want to know how many we are so that we can enumerate properly, canvass properly, protect ourselves properly, and empower ourselves properly, leaving no one behind.”
The governor charged officials handling the registration exercise to be inclusive and proactive in canvassing new members.
“Do not exclude anyone. We need all the members we can get. You should not only register existing members but also go out and canvas for new ones,” he said.
“This is an opportunity to market the party. You have seen the work done at the federal, state, and local government levels. Use that to expand the party beyond where it used to be.”
AbdulRazaq said his administration had implemented projects across key sectors, making Kwara State more developed and viable than in the past.
“The facts speak for themselves across every sector. We have recorded sterling performances that everyone can see in every part of the state,” he said.
He also disclosed that possession of a National Identity Number (NIN) is required for registration into the party.
