Indigenes of the three ethnic blocs of Kwara South, namely the Igbomina, Ibolo, and Ekiti people in the Kwara South Senatorial District of Kwara State, under the aegis of the Aro Meta Development Association, have refuted claims of any rotation arrangement for the governorship position in the state, saying there is no official rotation agreement by any group.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Monday, members of the community development association, led by Evangelist Sunday Ajleye, dismissed the existence of any rotation arrangement, especially in light of the current political situation in the state.

“Membership of the association consists of people who are 70 years of age and above. We are not kids nor are we children. We know what’s been going on as far back as 60s in Kwara state. So, we’re aware that there’s no any official arrangement within us for rotation. If there’s any official arrangement, it means there should not be any governorship aspirant from the Kwara Central District coming out to contest. It’s because there’s no arrangement. The current governor is from Kwara Central. But today, more than five governorship aspirants are vying for governorship position in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. So, with what’s on ground, rotation cannot be possible and there’s no rotation arrangement”, he said.

The development association, which said that political realities, rather than informal sentiments, should guide the 2027 governorship contest, added that all stakeholders are fully aware of the evolving dynamics shaping the race ahead of the poll.

The group also reiterated its position that Kwara South should produce the next governor, while acknowledging ongoing agitations from Kwara North and the renewed interest from Kwara Central.

The association, however, warned that a failure of Kwara South aspirants to remain in the race could create an easy path for candidates from other zones, particularly Kwara Central, where it said multiple aspirants have already declared interest.

It noted that with seven out of the state’s 16 local government areas, Kwara South holds significant electoral weight, further strengthened by its population spread into Kwara Central.

Against this backdrop, the Aro Meta Development Association announced its endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Dr Muyideen Azeez Olaniyi Salako, citing what it described as his “unifying leadership, administrative competence and wide acceptability” across the three blocs of the district.

The group highlighted his tenure as Global President of the Offa Descendants Union, where he was credited with promoting transparency, mobilising resources for development, and managing diverse interests.

According to the association, Salako’s political structure cuts across the seven local government areas of Kwara South and extends into other parts of the state, positioning him strongly for both party primaries and the general election. (TRIBUNE)