On Thursday, a political event took place in Kwara State as a Aspirant for governor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Haliru Dantsoho Mahmud, publicly declared his ambition only to step down minutes later in favor of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari.
Mahmud, who represents the Kwara North Senatorial District, stated that his prior aspiration was driven by his zone’s historical isolation from producing a governor.
But he stated consultations with key stakeholders led him to support Seriki, from Kwara Central, describing him as a “better aspirant” capable of uniting the state and driving inclusive development.
“For nearly three decades, Kwara North has stood loyal to our state, yet its time to lead has not come,” Mahmud said. “I have championed this cause because fairness and unity drive progress. Today, I step aside not in defeat, but in hope and faith that, together under Ambassador Seriki, Kwara will rise to new heights of growth, stability, and shared prosperity.”
Mahmud, also known as Dan’iyan Kaiama, stressed that supporters were consulted and the decision was reached after thorough consideration. He described Seriki as a unifying figure with a track record of youth empowerment, grassroots development, and bridge-building across communities, aligning closely with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“This is not retreat; it is a rallying call. This is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is a sacrifice for unity and progress,” Mahmud stated, drawing applause from party members and supporters at the event held at an Events Centre on Old Offa Road, GRA, Ilorin.
Additionally, he used the occasion to praise the federal, state, and security agencies, for their response to the recent Woro incident, urging swift action to rescue abducted victims. This development represents a pivotal point in Kwara State’s political landscape in 2027.
