Igbomina Group Endorses Bolarinwa for 2027 Kwara Governorship, Seeks Tinubu’s Backing

Omo Ibile Igbomina, a socio-cultural association of Igbomina indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory, has endorsed Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 Kwara State governorship election.

The group made its position known in a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Dele Gege, and Secretary, Engr. Femi Oluwaseun.

According to the association, its endorsement followed what it described as a careful assessment of recent political developments within the Kwara APC, particularly the decision by ten leading governorship aspirants to collapse their political structures in pursuit of a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 poll.

The group said its support for Bolarinwa was based on considerations of party unity, electoral strength and governance capacity rather than ethnic sentiment.

“The decision to support BOB is not driven by sentiment or mere ethnic interest. It is rooted in our collective desire to see APC enter 2027 united, formidable and prepared to govern Kwara State effectively,” the statement said.

Omo Ibile Igbomina noted that Bolarinwa enjoys broad acceptance across the state and maintains a longstanding relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dating back to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) era.

The association argued that such a relationship could prove advantageous in a consensus process that may ultimately require the involvement of the party’s national leadership.

The group also highlighted Bolarinwa’s experience within the APC, citing his tenure as chairman of the party in Kwara State and his role during the 2019 “O To Ge” political movement that ended decades of political dominance by the Saraki political structure.

Describing him as a grassroots politician with extensive knowledge of party structures, the group said Bolarinwa possesses the capacity to mobilise support across the state from the outset.

Omo Ibile Igbomina further pointed to the willingness of several prominent aspirants, including Senator Saliu Mustapha, Dr. Toyin Tajudeen Alabi, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari, Alhaji Tajudeen Audu, Dr. Azeez Salako, Muideen Olaniyi, Captain Ahmad Mahmud, Hon. Omar Ibrahim Bio and Barrister Dele Belgore (SAN), to participate in the consensus process.

According to the association, Bolarinwa is well positioned to unify stakeholders because he is not burdened by direct conflicts with any of the major contenders.

The group maintained that a consensus arrangement built around Bolarinwa would promote stability within the APC and reduce the risk of prolonged internal disputes and post-primary litigation.

It also appealed directly to President Tinubu to support Bolarinwa’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate in Kwara.

“Mr. President, you have always rewarded loyalty, competence and capacity to unite. BOB embodies all three,” the statement said.

The association also commended APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, for his role in coordinating the consensus-building efforts, stressing that party stakeholders were seeking a workable process rather than a stalemate.

“Kwara APC has paid the price of division before. It must not pay it twice,” the group stated.