Beyond Claims of Anointment: Grassroots Ballot Process Determines Candidate-Babatunde Owolabi
With the Kwara South APC senate primary election scheduled to hold tomorrow, May 18th, 2026, across the wards in the senatorial district, the moment has arrived for the party to demonstrate its commitment to true democracy, fairness, and grassroots participation.
As party members prepare to cast their votes, one principle must remain paramount: the future of Kwara South should not be decided by rumours of endorsement from Abuja, but by the genuine will of APC faithful across the seven local government areas. The primary election presents an opportunity for the party to reinforce confidence in its internal democratic process and uphold the values that progressive politics should represent.
Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reemphasized the importance of free and fair primaries submitting that candidates should emerge through transparent democratic processes driven by party members at the grassroots level. That position should guide every stakeholder involved in tomorrow’s exercise. It is therefore important to reject narratives attempting to portray any aspirant as already ‘anointed’ from Abuja. Such claims risk undermining the credibility of the process and discouraging loyal party members whose voices matter most.
Kwara South has long been respected for its Omoluabi political culture — one built on decency, consultation, respect, and collective responsibility. The district deserves a primary election that reflects those ideals. Aspirants seeking to represent the people in the Senate should be evaluated based on their grassroots connection, accessibility, consultations with stakeholders, and capacity to unite and advance the interests of the district — not merely on perceived proximity to powerful interests in Abuja.
True political legitimacy is not built solely through elite endorsements or high-level meetings. It is built through years of engagement with communities, participation in party structures, and meaningful relationships with ordinary members across wards and local governments. The strength of the APC in Kwara South lies with its grassroots, and tomorrow’s primary must reflect that reality.
Across Irepodun, Isin, Oke-Ero, Ekiti, Offa, Oyun, and Ifelodun, party faithful and members deserve the freedom to vote without pressure, intimidation, or manipulation. Consensus-driven nomination process, where it genuinely exists, should have candidates emerging naturally from broad acceptance among stakeholders — not through orchestrated declarations or assumptions of presidential preference.
Tomorrow’s exercise is bigger than any individual ambition. It is about preserving the integrity of the party and ensuring that the eventual candidate enjoys legitimacy, acceptance, and the confidence of the people. A transparent and credible primary will strengthen party unity and position the APC more favourably ahead of the general election.
As Kwara South stands at this important political crossroads, the appeal is simple and reasonable: allow the process to be free, fair, and credible. Let party members vote according to their conscience and convictions. Let the candidate who truly reflects the wishes of the grassroots emerge.
That remains the surest path to unity, justice, and sustainable political progress in Kwara South.
Don’t fall for the Saka Maje of Abuja anointment-Mr Babatunde Owolabi, who is the chairman of the Concerned Kwara South Progressives, writes from Ilorin, Kwara State
