Kwara Has no History of Zoning Governorship seat since Creation: Senator Oloriegbe
A governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, has reaffirmed that the state has never operated a zoning arrangement in the selection of its governor, as debate intensifies ahead of the 2027 election.
Oloriegbe, who is in the race for the state’s top job, said calls for zoning are inconsistent with Kwara’s political history, insisting that the governorship has always been open to all qualified candidates regardless of their zone of origin.
“Kwara has never adopted any formal zoning arrangement. In every election cycle, candidates from all parts of the state have contested, and the people have decided who leads them,” he said.
The senator explained that the state’s political evolution has been shaped by competitive elections rather than rotational agreements, noting that candidates from different regions have historically contested and won based on popular support.
He pointed out that Kwara Central, despite its considerable voting strength, has consistently backed candidates from other zones who eventually emerged as governors. He listed past leaders such as Alhaja Adamu Attah, the late Chief C.O. Adebayo from Kwara South, Shaba Lafiagi, and former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as examples.
According to Oloriegbe, although the Ilorin Emirate accounts for a significant share of the state’s voting population, this has never translated into the exclusion of other regions from producing governors.
He argued that leadership should be determined by competence, capacity and proven track record, rather than geographical considerations, stressing that Kwara voters are more concerned with credible leadership capable of advancing development.
“The essence of presenting a candidate is to win elections. We must put forward someone who is acceptable across all zones and local governments and who can compete strongly with opposition candidates,” he added.
Oloriegbe further noted that many opposition aspirants are emerging from Kwara Central and may seek to leverage zoning sentiments and voting strength, warning that the ruling party must instead focus on fielding a broadly acceptable and electable candidate.
He also cautioned against any decision that could jeopardise the gains recorded in the state over the past eight years, insisting that the party must remain strategic to retain power in 2027.
Oloriegbe’s position aligns with an earlier stance by Senator Lola Ashiru, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District.
Ashiru had similarly warned against the imposition of zoning in Kwara’s political process, arguing that such a move could undermine merit and restrict the emergence of the most qualified candidates.
He maintained that the state’s political tradition is rooted in open competition rather than rotational arrangements, urging stakeholders to prioritise competence, inclusiveness and the broader interest of Kwara State.
