No fewer than 105 aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress All Progressives Congress ticket for the Kwara State House of Assembly were not cleared by the party during its screening exercise ahead of the 2027 elections.
The screening result, displayed at the APC secretariat in Ilorin and seen by journalists, showed that out of 158 aspirants who bought nomination forms for the State Assembly race, only 53 were successful.
The document was titled, “All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2027 General Election.” It also revealed that several sitting lawmakers aiming for second and third terms were among those declared “uncleared”.
In Kwara Central, most incumbent lawmakers who sought re-election were cleared, except the representative of Alanamu/Ajikobi Constituency, Hon. Ayishat Tundun Alanamu.
In Kwara South, more sitting lawmakers were affected. Those from Ifelodun Local Government Area, including Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu (Omupo Constituency) and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq (Share/Oke-Ode Constituency), were not cleared. Others affected include Hon. Bamigboye Joseph, Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq, and Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga from Oke-Ero, Isin, and Essa/Shawo/Igboidun constituencies.
However, lawmakers from Oyun Local Government Area, including the Deputy Speaker Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, were cleared.
In Kwara North, both serving lawmakers from Moro Local Government Area who sought re-election passed the screening, while Hon. Issa Gideon from Edu Constituency was not cleared due to ongoing suspension issues linked to alleged misconduct.
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel did not take part in the re-election screening process, as they did not obtain nomination forms.
Before the exercise, the screening committee chairman, Prof. Success Musa, said: “I learnt we have 158 aspirants for the House of Assembly alone. That is democracy. That is what APC represents. It is the leadership shown by the chairman and our governor.”
The outcome has reportedly caused tension among some lawmakers and their supporters across Kwara State as the party continues preparations for its primaries.