Ten aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who participated in the recent Kwara State governorship primary election, which produced Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections, have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what they described as his imposition on the party.

The petitioners asked the President to wade into the controversial primary election or be prepared to lose Kwara State in the 2027 general elections.

They warned that if the present trajectory is allowed to continue, the electoral success of the party in future general elections will be severely imperilled, as many stakeholders in the party will be left with no choice but to seek other political platforms to actualise their ambitions.

In a joint letter made available on Saturday and addressed to the President, the aggrieved aspirants drew his attention to what they described as the grave and worsening situation in the state chapter of the party.

The letter read in part: “While we join in celebrating the milestones of your administration, we consider it imperative to draw your urgent attention to the grave and worsening situation within our party in Kwara State.

“We do so with profound respect, but also with a deep sense of responsibility and concern for the future of the APC and the political legacy your leadership helped to shape in our state.

“Your Excellency will recall the historic Otoge movement, which culminated in the landmark victory of the APC in 2019.

“That victory was not the product of any single individual, but of a broad coalition of stakeholders, political tendencies, community leaders, party loyalists and progressive forces united by a shared resolve to end political domination and restore democratic inclusion in Kwara State.

“Regrettably, the gains of that collective sacrifice have not been consolidated in a manner that reflects the magnitude of the effort and expectations of our people.

“The individual who emerged as the principal beneficiary of that historic victory, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has, in our considered view, failed to provide the inclusive, broad-based and unifying leadership required to sustain the coalition that brought our party to power.

“Over the past seven years, key stakeholders who devoted their resources, energy and political capital to building the APC in Kwara State have been alienated, marginalised or deliberately excluded from meaningful participation in both government and party affairs.

“The result has been a steady weakening of the APC’s political strength in the state and a troubling resurgence of opposition elements. The support base of our party has been significantly diminished.

“In our firm assessment, Governor AbdulRazaq has lost the moral and political authority to determine the future of the APC in Kwara State. His popularity has declined markedly, and there is widespread apprehension among party members and stakeholders that any candidate associated with his endorsement may be seriously disadvantaged at the polls,” the aggrieved aspirants noted.

They warned that “in order to avert further damage and forestall a deeper crisis”, the President needs to take a sober and critical look at developments in Kwara State, including the circumstances surrounding the announcement of results for primaries that allegedly did not hold, and intervene in the interest of the party’s survival.

The group further urged President Bola Tinubu to carefully review the records, capacities, loyalty and statewide acceptability of the aspirants, with a view to making a decisive and unifying choice among the governorship aspirants.

“We are confident that among us is a leader capable of providing fresh direction, restoring internal unity, rebuilding stakeholders’ confidence, strengthening the APC’s support base and working closely with Your Excellency as a reliable partner at the sub-national level.”

National Head Coach of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association, Lucky Jolly Iduseri, has credited discipline, thorough preparation, and strong administrative support for Team Nigeria’s impressive performance at the inaugural Central African Zone Powerlifting Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Iduseri reflected on the team’s successful campaign, revealing that the athletes arrived in Cameroon several days before the start of the three-day competition to acclimatise and finalise their preparations.

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According to the coach, Nigeria’s achievements were the result of months of structured planning rather than last-minute adjustments.

“The key factors behind our success were discipline, clearly defined roles, and the unwavering support of the President of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association,” Iduseri said. “We prepared our athletes to handle unexpected situations before leaving Nigeria, so when logistical issues arose in Cameroon, they remained focused on their performances.”

Iduseri explained that the coaching staff placed equal emphasis on physical readiness and mental resilience. Training sessions were designed to simulate pressure-filled situations, while athletes were encouraged to remain composed regardless of changing circumstances.

One of the tournament’s standout moments, according to the coach, was the silver-medal performance of debutant Odok Answer. Seeing a first-time competitor reach the podium was a source of immense pride and highlighted the depth of talent within the Nigerian team.

The coach also acknowledged the challenges encountered during the competition, including travel delays and schedule adjustments. However, he noted that prior planning and collective discipline enabled the squad to adapt quickly without allowing distractions to affect their performances.

Looking ahead, Iduseri said the Nigeria Powerlifting Association intends to build on the success in Cameroon by raising performance standards through additional training camps, enhanced discipline, and greater support for athletes.

He also delivered a message to aspiring powerlifters across the country, encouraging them to remain committed to the process and trust in consistent hard work.

“Stay disciplined and trust the process,” he said. “This championship has shown that when Nigerian athletes receive the right preparation and support, they are capable of competing successfully and winning medals on the international stage.”

With momentum from their achievements in Cameroon, Team Nigeria will now look to carry that confidence into future continental and global competitions as the sport continues to grow in prominence across the country.