Former spokesperson to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, and ex-Commissioner for Works, Abdulquawiy Olododo, recorded major victories on Saturday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries reshaped the political landscape in Kwara State.

The primaries, held across the six federal constituencies in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, saw some incumbents lose ground while fresh contenders emerged with commanding leads.

In the keenly watched Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency contest, Ajakaye defeated incumbent lawmaker Tijani Ismail, in what party supporters described as a sweeping victory across the constituency.

The former governor’s spokesman dominated results announced from several wards in Ifelodun, Offa and Oyun local government areas, including areas considered strongholds of the incumbent.

In Ipee Ward of Oyun Local Government, Ajakaye polled 1,551 votes while Ismail failed to secure a vote.

The pattern repeated in Erin-Ile South, where the incumbent hails from, as Ajakaye secured 707 votes while Ismail again recorded zero votes.

At Ile Ire Ward, Ajakaye polled 300 votes against the lawmaker’s single vote.

Party supporters described the exercise as peaceful and carnival-like in many parts of the constituency, with large turnout of party members and stakeholders.

The momentum behind Ajakaye grew further after two frontline aspirants from Offa, Alhaji Femi White and Alhaji Ogunbiyi Ojokure, stepped down from the race and directed their supporters to back him.

In Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency, former Commissioner for Works, Abdulquawiy Olododo, also emerged dominant after four aspirants withdrew from the contest in his favour following intervention by party elders.

Those who stepped down included Ambassador Tajudeen Olesin, former Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Afeez Abolore, Hon Babatunde Ajadi Yakubu and Hon Mashood Gobir.

Olododo later recorded massive votes in key wards to establish an early lead over incumbent lawmaker Yinka Aluko and other contenders.

In Magaji Are II Ward, Olododo polled 2,012 votes against Aluko’s 312 votes.

At Akanbi V Ward, the former commissioner secured 5,122 votes while the incumbent scored 550 votes in the contest involving nine aspirants.

In Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency, former TESCOM Chairman Taoheed Abubakar, popularly known as “Car Wash”, was also reported to be leading comfortably as results trickled in.

Meanwhile, the member representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Muktar Tolani Shagaya, retained firm control of his constituency after emerging winner of the APC primary election. Shagaya polled 77,625 votes to defeat three other aspirants in the exercise.

His closest challenger, Yakub Amasa Yusuf, secured 6,344 votes, while Muhammed Kabir Olayinka polled 1,487 votes.

Another aspirant, Mopelola Bashir Abdulmalik, scored 623 votes.

A total of 85,719 votes were cast in the constituency.

Despite the largely peaceful conduct of the primaries across the state, tension was said to have briefly erupted in Idofian Ward II of Ifelodun Local Government Area following disagreement among stakeholders.

The alleged incident could not be independently verified before the filing of this report Saturday night.

However, APC leaders maintained that the primaries were generally peaceful across the state.

Speaking during the exercise in Ilorin, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary and North Central Coordinator for Elections, Durosinmi Meseko, commended party members for conducting themselves peacefully.

“We have gone round the town and observed that elections are going on peacefully in various wards and local government areas,” he said.

“The leadership of the party has consistently preached unity and discouraged actions capable of causing implosion within the party.”

Meseko added that many aspirants approached the contest with maturity and understanding.

“I am happy that most of the aspirants did not see the contest as a do-or-die affair. They understand that only one person can emerge for a position at a time,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the electoral strength of the APC ahead of future elections.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no formidable opposition at the moment. The opposition parties are in disarray,” he added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also defended the performance of the APC administration in the state, saying the government had delivered visible development projects across sectors.

“You can see our infrastructure projects across the state. We have built new schools and invested heavily in human capital development,” the governor said.

“That is why the people want us to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to Kwarans.”

Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee in Kwara, Habibu Salam, described the process as transparent and credible.

“We are satisfied with the process so far and we believe it will produce credible candidates for the party,” he said.

State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, had earlier appealed to aspirants and supporters to maintain peace and demonstrate sportsmanship throughout the exercise.

“The victory of one must be embraced as the victory of all, because the success of our great party remains far bigger than individual ambition,” Fagbemi said. (Weekend Trust)