A coalition of Christian communities in Kwara State has called for an end to what it described as decades of Muslim dominance in the state’s governorship, urging President Bola Tinubu to support the emergence of a Christian candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 election.
The group, operating under the umbrella of the Conglomerate of Kwara State Christian Communities, said producing a Christian governor would address longstanding concerns over equity, inclusiveness and fair representation in the state’s political leadership.
The position was contained in an open letter dated June 27, 2026, jointly signed by Rev. Felix Ajide, Amb. Samson Abomire, Dr David Olayemi and Engr. Patrick Agbejokha.
The letter, obtained by PUNCH Online on Monday, was also addressed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The coalition said its appeal was informed by the need for “true fairness, adequate inclusivity and major equity” after nearly three decades of uninterrupted Muslim governors since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The letter partly read, “We, the Christian Society of Kwara State, plead with Your Excellency to consider and support a Christian brother to occupy the number one seat of Kwara State come 2027 through the bulk votes of indigenes and non-indigenes of Kwara State.
“It is crystal clear today that none of the opposition parties is able to bargain for our votes to date because all their candidates are non-Christian. The opposition parties turned a deaf ear to Christian agitation for a Christian governor in Kwara State since 1983.”
The coalition said Christians in the state were prepared to work with their Muslim counterparts to ensure the emergence of a Christian governor under the APC.
“We at the Conglomerate of Kwara State Christian Communities are ready to partner with our Muslim brothers to produce a Christian governor in 2027. It is a done deal as of today, Your Excellency.
“Out of about 49 per cent Christians in Kwara State, we promise Your Excellency 38.5 per cent of our votes if a Christian is given the Kwara State 2027 gubernatorial ticket,” the letter continued.
The coalition recalled that Christians had consistently supported Muslim governorship candidates over the years, citing the elections of the late Mohammed Alabi Lawal, Bukola Saraki, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“We have done it in favour of our Muslim brothers back-to-back in 1999 that produced late Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal, 2003 to 2011 that produced Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, 2011 to 2019 that produced Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed and from 2019 till date that produced the incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” the letter added.
The group, however, commended Tinubu’s administration for what it described as progress in addressing insecurity, improving the economy and promoting religious harmony across the country.
It also praised the President for the 2026 amendments to the Electoral Act, saying the reforms had strengthened Nigeria’s electoral process.
The coalition further congratulated Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election, lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his leadership as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the country’s health and economic sectors.
The group expressed confidence that a Christian governorship candidate would unite APC stakeholders in Kwara and enhance the party’s chances of retaining power in the 2027 election.
“Your Excellency, the 2027 Kwara State governorship candidate, we assure you, will put to rest the ongoing scheme and bring every governorship aspirant in Kwara State to work for the victory of APC in Kwara State,” the letter noted.
