Kwara APC Changes Running Mate, Picks Seun Oguniyi for 2027 Governorship Race

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has replaced its previously listed deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election, with serving State House of Assembly member Oluwaseun David Oguniyi, popularly known as Adato, emerging as the new running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The development represents a change from the candidate earlier listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the APC ticket. Bello Mubarak Salau had previously been identified as the party’s deputy governorship candidate alongside Danladi-Salihu.

Oguniyi is a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency in Offa Local Government Area. His emergence places two serving members of the state legislature on the APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election.

The reported substitution became public on Monday, September 21, amid preparations by political parties for the 2027 governorship election. Reports said the development followed the party’s decision to replace Salau with Oguniyi as Danladi-Salihu’s running mate.

Oguniyi’s political profile is complemented by a professional background outside elective office. Reports on his career state that he has held senior positions in the private sector before becoming a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The change has nevertheless generated reactions within the state. The 52-Youth Coalition (52-YC), through its secretary, Bashir Amid, criticised the reported substitution and questioned the decision to field serving legislators for both the governorship and deputy governorship positions.

The coalition’s concerns were presented as part of a broader argument about the range of professional and political experience available among potential candidates in the state. It urged residents to examine the records, experience and programmes of candidates as preparations for the election continue.

The reported change initially generated some uncertainty because the Kwara APC leadership had not immediately issued a formal confirmation. The state APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, was reported to have neither confirmed nor denied the development when contacted, saying a statement would be issued on the matter.

Danladi-Salihu, the incumbent Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate after the party’s governorship primary earlier in 2026. He secured the ticket after defeating other aspirants in the contest.

With Oguniyi now reported as the replacement running mate, the APC ticket enters another phase of preparation for the 2027 Kwara governorship election. The development adds a fresh dimension to the party’s candidate lineup as political parties and aspirants continue organising ahead of the poll.