Constituent opposes Kwara senator reelection

Some constituents of the senator representing Kwara North Senator district, Sadiq Umar, on Tuesday pushed back on his alleged 2027 re-election ambition. The socio-political group, Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU) expressed its opposition during a briefing on Tuesday at the Correspondent Chapel, Ilorin. At the event, the group reiterated its position with the slogans: “No […]

Some constituents of the senator representing Kwara North Senator district, Sadiq Umar, on Tuesday pushed back on his alleged 2027 re-election ambition.

The socio-political group, Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU) expressed its opposition during a briefing on Tuesday at the Correspondent Chapel, Ilorin.

At the event, the group reiterated its position with the slogans: “No to Third Term Representation,” “Two Terms Are Sufficient,” and “Patigi Turn Is Now.”

Sadiq is among the aspirants who have been linked with the 2027 governorship race in the state.

However, PEDU claimed the senator is now seeking another term in the Senate insisting that he should respect the district’s long-standing zoning arrangement.

The group argued that it is the turn of Patigi Local Government Area to produce the next senator representing the senatorial district.

Sadiq is from Kaiama, a sister council.

PEDU, led by its National President, Salihu Bologi Umar, warned that “any attempt to allow a third consecutive term for the incumbent senator could destabilise the political understanding that has sustained peace and balance within the district over the years”.

According to the group, “Kwara North stakeholders had historically operated an unwritten rotational arrangement that allows senatorial representation to move among constituent local governments after two terms or eight years”.

“It is both justifiable and appropriate that the 2027 Kwara North Senatorial mandate be ceded to Patigi LGA,” they said.

The group argued that Patigi had remained loyal to the APC and deserved “fairness, equity and political inclusion” in the party’s decision-making process ahead of 2027.

PEDU urged Senator Sadiq Umar to “demonstrate statesmanship” by stepping aside in the interest of justice, regional harmony, and political stability.

The union further warned that denying Patigi the opportunity to produce the next senator could force stakeholders within the emirate to “reconsider their political options” and explore alternative democratic platforms.

The district, which comprises Baruten, Edu, Kaiama, Moro, and Patigi local government areas, has historically witnessed delicate political negotiations aimed at maintaining regional balance and avoiding domination by any single bloc.

Responding to the claims by the Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU), an aide to the senator, Akpem Michael Ngutor, dismissed the allegation, challenging the group to provide evidence to support its claims of a third-term agenda.

“Let them present any evidence that he is running for a third term,” he said.

Ngutor maintained that he had no information suggesting that the senator was pursuing another senatorial bid, stressing that a formal declaration would ordinarily involve processes such as screening and official party procedures.

“I don’t have any information about that agenda. Declaration entails going for screening and all that,” he stated.

According to him, electoral ambition remains a personal decision, adding that the senator had not communicated any intention to seek a third term to him.

“The issue of election is a personal issue and if the senator has taken a decision that he wants to go for a third term, he has not communicated it to me. I am not aware,” he said.

He added that, to the best of his knowledge, the senator’s current political focus remains the Kwara State governorship race.

“But I only know him to be contesting for the governorship of Kwara State till now,” Ngutor added.

The aide, however, clarified that he was not speaking in any official capacity on behalf of the senator.

“I am not in any official capacity to speak for him; he can speak for himself. But I am not aware of this until the primaries hold,” he said.