2027 race: Kwara South stakeholders appeal to monarchs to remain non-partisan

Stakeholders in the Kwara South senatorial district of Kwara State have cautioned traditional rulers in the district against partisanship in the 2027 electioneering processes.

The people, under the aegis of the Kwara South Progressive Movement, while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, criticised the recent position of some traditional rulers from the Igbomina-speaking axis of Kwara South Senatorial District on the agitation for zoning of the district’s senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on behalf of the sociopolitical group, Sunday Owolabi, chairman, expressed concern over what he described as involvement of traditional rulers in partisan political matters, urging them to remain neutral and preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution.

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The reaction followed a press conference addressed on Monday by the Chairman of the Igbomina Traditional Rulers Forum and Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Oba Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, where support was reportedly expressed for the zoning of the Kwara South Senate seat to the Igbomina axis, in a district comprising of other tribes as Ibolo and Ekiti extractions.

According to Owolabi, while political debates and opinions are expected during election seasons, traditional institutions should not be drawn into issues capable of generating political controversy.

He argued that the zoning principle being canvassed by some stakeholders was neither documented nor historically established as a binding arrangement within the district’s political structure.

Owolabi maintained that since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the Igbomina axis had occupied a significant share of elective positions in the district and the state.

He listed former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Deputy Governor Joel Ogundeji, current Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, former members of the House of Representatives Bashiru Oni, Gbenga Makanjuola and late Funke Adedoyin, as well as serving lawmaker Raheem Olatunji Olawuyi, as examples of political offices occupied by individuals from the Igbomina extraction.

He warned against allowing politicians to use revered traditional institutions to advance partisan interests, stressing that royal fathers should focus on issues affecting the welfare of the people, particularly the worsening security situation in parts of the country.

Owolabi noted that any perception of partisanship by traditional rulers could diminish public confidence in the traditional institution and undermine the unity and collective aspirations of the people of Kwara South.

He therefore called on stakeholders across the district to promote peaceful political engagement and avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary divisions ahead of the 2027 election.