Excluding Christians from Kwara governorship race may undermine unity, group warns

A group under the umbrella of Kwara Inclusion Advocates (KIA) has warned that the “continued exclusion of Christians from the governorship race in the state could undermine unity and social cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Speaking at a press conference and mini summit held on Saturday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara, Tunji Adeyemi, convener of the group, said the warning was not motivated by religious sentiment but by the need to promote inclusive leadership as political succession discussions intensify in the state.

Adeyemi said feelings of alienation have persisted among some segments of the population in the state, particularly in Kwara south and within Christian communities.

He added that sustained exclusion of Christians from the highest political office in Kwara could weaken public trust.

“As 2027 approaches, Kwara is under pressure from insecurity, declining public confidence and growing anxiety among citizens,” he said.

“These challenges will not be resolved by sentiment, rigid zoning or silent exclusions, but by deliberate inclusion anchored on competence.”

He said leadership should not be treated as an entitlement or a “turn-by-turn souvenir”, arguing that competence in a plural society must be evident across religious and regional lines.

According to him, the routine sidelining of Christians from serious governorship consideration amounts to structural exclusion that weakens unity in a diverse state.

While acknowledging calls for the governorship to rotate to Kwara north, Adeyemi cautioned that zoning should not be used to shut out qualified candidates on the basis of faith.

He said if a competent Christian candidate emerges through an open and competitive process, such a person should not be blocked by informal political barriers.

Drawing from history, Adeyemi recalled the election of the late Cornelius Adebayo as governor in 1983 and the leadership of former military governor George Innih, noting that Kwarans have previously embraced leaders beyond identity when merit and credibility were evident.

Akogun Oyedepo, a member of the group, said competence remains the strongest unifying factor in leadership, adding that sustainable development thrives where merit outweighs sentiment.

David Olayemi, another stakeholder, noted that youth empowerment is key to peace and long-term stability, urging political leaders to invest deliberately in young people ahead of 2027.

Bolanle Saliu, who was also at the event, advocated for the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making.

She warned that exclusion — whether of women or faith groups — weakens democratic outcomes.

The group also urged traditional rulers to maintain political neutrality, saying that overt partisan alignment could erode their moral authority and ability to unite communities.

KIA said the central issue ahead of the 2027 governorship election should not be whose turn it is, but who can secure, heal and unite Kwara state.