NPFL: Kwara United vs Nasarawa United Returns Attention To Gov Abdulrazaq–Mustapha Rivalry As Adamu Manko Delivers ‘Important’ Message In Mecca

The match between Kwara United and Nassarawa United which took place at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl, George Innih Stadium, Ilorin, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, returned attention to the rivalry between Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Senator Saliu Mustapha.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, is the governor of Kwara State while Senator Saliu Mustapha represents Kwara Central in the senate.

They are both Kwara State APC bigwigs.

Who gets what in 2027, and who should control the party structures, reportedly caused the rivalry.

Senator Saliu Mustapha is believed to be getting set to join the Kwara State 2027 gubernatorial race while the governor has through his body language made it clear that he will not endorse or support his candidacy.

Many are quick to cite instances where the rivalry had come into the open while Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi had also a few days ago, carried out a minor reshuffle of the ‘Standing Committees’ in a way that made some leap to conclusions that Hon Razaq Owolabi and Hon Yisa Gideon were ‘punished’ because they had endorsed Senator Saliu Mustapha and Alhaji Yahaya Seriki’s candidacies respectively.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Senator Saliu Mustapha’s press office had announced plans to pay for the tickets of fans who are interested in watching the match and ‘before you say Jack Robinson’, the state government announced that it will be ‘Free entry to the stadium’.

‘GOOD NEWS! Kwara State Government is sponsoring FREE ENTRY for all fans to today’s NPFL match vs Nasarawa United. We urge all football lovers to come out in numbers to support the Harmony Boys. #WeAreHarmonyBoys’ the short statement said.

 This had since given birth to insinuations with inferences being made while it became a ‘topical issue’ on social media.

While masses are usually made to bear the brunt whilst political figures ‘knock heads’, this time around, it was to their advantage and apparently if there had been a platform to interact with their representatives, they would have simply asked one person to pay for the tickets while the other camp provides food parcels!

Luckily for Kwarans and supporters of the football club, the match ended 1-0 in favour of Kwara United.

As a reward for the victory, Bashorun Kayode Bankole gifted the team ₦1million, while Abayomi Lawal , who scored the goal, also won Cyteck man of the match award.

Kwara United has gotten rated as 10th on the NPFL table after 31 games and would be facing Plateau United next weekend.

In the meanwhile, Alhaji Attahiru Adamu Manko, who was the Kwara North SDP senate candidate in the 2023 National Assembly Elections, may have made up his mind to leave the party for APC.

Recall that Governor Abdulrazaq had met with Alhaji Adamu Manko behind closed doors in Ilorin a few days ago.

The governor was said to have told him during the meeting that he should leave SDP for APC noting that wherever the pendulum swings in respect of the APC gubernatorial nomination, Adamu will not lose anything as the ‘senate nomination’ will be moving to the Nupe axis of Kwara North.

The current occupant of the parliament seat, Senator Sadiq Umar is from Kaiama.

Gist mongers told Team@orientactualmags.com that Alhaji Adamu Manko who was invited by the governor through Alhaji Yahaya Seriki did not make a ‘categorical stance’ known but rather promised to get in touch after returning from Umrah, the lesser hajj.

This may not be necessary anymore as he may have delivered the ‘important’ message to the governor in Mecca.

Alhaji Adamu was among prominent Kwarans who had iftar dinner with the governor in Mecca on Tuesday and cognizant of his happy demeanour, it was clear that he felt at home.

Also at the dinner table were Hon Mariam Aladi, Hon Gafar Ayilara, Alhaji Yahaya Seriki, Rep Raheem Olawuyi and others-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you