Against perceived injustice in political power rotation in Kwara State, a sociopolitical organisation, Kwara South Equity Advocates (K-SEA), has canvassed support for a governor from the Kwara North district come 2027.

Speaking at the political summit of the group in Ajase-Ipo town in the Irepodun local government area of the state on Friday, the chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, highlighted the seeming injustice and inequity associated with power sharing and governance in the state since 1999.

Speaking on the theme “A New Dawn in Kwara: Quest for Equity, Fairness, and Justice; Kwara South for Kwara North,” Lawal said the group is poised to contribute to advancing democratic governance and equitable development in Kwara State.

“Accepting that equity is everyone’s business, this forum would like you to think back and x-ray the previous administrations we have had in Kwara State, especially in the recent past. Which of the previous administrations would you sincerely say upheld governance with respect to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging?

“Since the commencement of the nascent democracy in 1999, with three regions in Kwara State: North, South, and Kwara Central, we have not experienced equitable distribution of power and inclusiveness, and this has adversely affected our democracy.

“In what looks like a polarisation of democracy in our state, by 2027, Kwara Central would have governed the state for 20 years, Kwara South for eight years, while Kwara North has never had a taste of the leadership stool of the state. This is deepening the state of division and distrust that seems to pervade our society.

“What inspires hope in holding the bull by the horns in this struggle is the fact that the government, the administration, and the body language of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq signify a determination to awaken and restore the declining confidence of citizens in democratic institutions and the increasing disregard for democratic norms and rules, which many political actors deliberately ignored,” he said.

The group, therefore, suggested that “it is time for power to either shift to Kwara North or Kwara South for equity and moral truth because anxieties are growing over the future of democracy in Kwara State.”

He accused successive governments of insensitivity in power-sharing/rotation in a multifaceted society, saying: “The successive administrations in Kwara State have either lacked the concept of power-sharing and inclusiveness or deliberately exerted actions to dislocate democracy in our peace-loving state.

“Their lack of administrative foresight has also brought about ideological distance from collective efforts to move the state forward, fuelled public disaffection, intolerance, discrimination, and diminished societal trust,” he said.

The guest lecturer, a Professor of Political Science at Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, aligned with the position of the group, berating the experience that the Kwara Central district would have ruled for 20 years at the end of this administration.

He advised Kwara North to work towards a consensus candidate for easier access to the Government House in 2027.

“Politics is a game of numbers; let all be prepared to see this project as a personal ambition for there to be a realistic ambition.”

Also speaking, the founder of Thomas Adewumi University, Engineer JBO Adewumi, represented by Professor Olusegun Elegbede, expressed his belief in equity and the governor.

The Kwara State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Fagbemi, urged Kwarans to allow the governor to choose his successor.

Meanwhile, the second speaker, Dr. Olufemi Owolabi, declared support for the essence of the group, which he described as the right move by patriots.

Representing traditional rulers, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo kingdom, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, rallied support for the group.

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