The call for a Kwara North successor to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq gained fresh momentum on Saturday,

as youths across the state, under the Kwara Youth Progressive Alliance (KYPA), held a press conference
themed “Call for Responsible Leadership.”

The event was led by Manko Hawau an brought together youth leaders and young professionals from all 16

Local Government Areas of the state. The group officially appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) to adopt Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hawau explained that the decision was not made hastily but came after

about five months of wide consultations. The alliance engaged grassroots party members, elders,
Kwarans in the diaspora, and various support groups to understand public opinion.

According to her, the consultations revealed a strong desire for fairness and inclusivity.
For many years, Kwara North has not had the opportunity to produce a governor, and the group
believes it is time to correct that imbalance.

While pushing for the governorship ticket to be zoned to Kwara North, the alliance stressed that
their demand is not based on sentiment. They described Senator Sadiq Umar as a capable and qualified
leader with strong experience in governance, policy-making, and development.

They also highlighted his calm nature, maturity, and ability to bring people together, noting that
these qualities make him well-suited to continue the achievements of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,
especially in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

During the press briefing, the group made three key appeals. First, they urged Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar
to officially declare his intention to run for governor in 2027. Second, they called on the APC leadership
to adopt him as a consensus candidate to avoid internal disagreements and promote unity within the party.

Lastly, they appealed to Governor Abdulrazaq to support a successor who can sustain and build on the
progress made by his administration.

The press conference ended with a strong commitment from the youths to mobilize voters ahead of the
2027 election. The group emphasized that the election should focus on responsible leadership that
puts the interests and progress of all Kwarans first.