KWARA 2027: T.O.P. RAINBOW COALITION LAUNCHES IN ILORIN AS SALIU MUSTAPHA CHALLENGES ABDULRAZAQ TO PUBLIC DEBATE;
“Tinubu, Saliu Mustapha, Kolo Baba Jiya, Other T.O.P. Candidates Receive Support as Political Leaders, Elders and Stakeholders Converge on Fate
Political leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of The Oto̩ge Progressives (T.O.P.) converged on AMBA Open Space, Audi Road, Fate, Ilorin, for the official launching of the T.O.P. Rainbow Coalition and a declaration of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya and other T.O.P. candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The gathering, organised by T.O.P. leaders, featured a series of political addresses, declarations and calls for mobilisation, with speakers reflecting on leadership, political participation, development and the emerging political contest in Kwara State.
A major highlight of the programme was the address by Distinguished Senator Saliu Mustapha, who challenged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to a public debate on projects and development in Kwara Central.
Senator Mustapha also alleged that some federal projects were being deliberately frustrated and vowed to “reset the equation” ahead of the 2027 elections.
SALIU MUSTAPHA CHALLENGES ABDULRAZAQ TO PUBLIC DEBATE:
Addressing the gathering, Senator Saliu Mustapha threw down a challenge to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for a public debate focused on projects and development in Kwara Central.
The Senator’s challenge centred on the need, as he presented it, for political leaders to publicly account for their records and contributions to the development of the state.
Mustapha also alleged deliberate frustration of federal projects, raising the issue as part of his broader political argument ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.
He further vowed to “reset the equation” in Kwara ahead of 2027, adding a strong political dimension to an event already defined by the launch of the Rainbow Coalition and declarations of support for the coalition’s candidates.
OLORIEGBE: “ILORIN SHOULD PRODUCE GOVERNOR AGAIN IN 2027”
Another major intervention came from Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, who addressed the mammoth crowd at the event.
Oloriegbe argued that Ilorin has the biggest population in Kwara State and should therefore be considered for the governorship of the state again in 2027.
His remarks became one of the notable talking points of the gathering, particularly within the broader discussion about political representation and the 2027 governorship contest.
APC ELDERS CAUCUS REAFFIRMS SUPPORT:
The Chairman of the APC Elders Caucus, Chief J.B. Ayeni, also addressed the mammoth gathering.
Chief Ayeni reaffirmed that the caucus was fully behind T.O.P. and the Rainbow Coalition in Kwara State, while expressing its commitment to mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kwara Coalition candidates.
His declaration reinforced the coalition’s stated objective of bringing political stakeholders together behind its chosen candidates as preparations for 2027 intensify.
KOLO BABA JIYA PRAISES SENATOR SADIQ’S FOOTPRINTS:
The PDP Kwara North Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, also spoke at the gathering, where he commended the contributions of Senator Sadiq Umar across Kwara North.
Kolo Baba Jiya said he had checked the wards across Kwara North and observed what he described as Senator Sadiq’s “footprints and good work all round.”
He described Senator Sadiq as “a true leader who has done so much for the people,” highlighting the senator’s contributions as part of his remarks at the political gathering.
His comments added a dimension of recognition of political leadership and grassroots impact to the event.
REP. ISMAIL TIJANI SPEAKS ON SARAKI CONDOLENCE VISIT:
The Member representing Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Rep. Ismail Kayode Tijani, also addressed the gathering.
Tijani recounted his experience following the death of the mother of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, saying that his decision to visit Saraki to offer condolences led to what he described as a confrontation with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In his words:
«“Just because I went to greet Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki when he lost his mum, Gov. AA started fighting me.”»
The remark formed part of the political narratives and personal experiences shared by speakers during the T.O.P. Rainbow Coalition launch.
SALMAN JAWONDO SAN DELIVERS OPENING SPEECH:
The programme also featured an opening address by Barr. Salman Jawondo, SAN, setting the tone for the gathering organised by the leaders of The Oto̩ge Progressives.
The launch brought together different political voices and stakeholders under the Rainbow Coalition, with the event serving as a platform for declarations of support and political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
T.O.P. RAINBOW COALITION AND 2027:
The official launch of the T.O.P. Rainbow Coalition represents a significant political gathering as stakeholders across Kwara continue to position themselves ahead of 2027.
The coalition’s declaration of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya and other T.O.P. candidates provided the central political focus of the event.
The gathering also demonstrated the coalition’s effort to bring together political leaders, elders, supporters and other stakeholders around a common political direction.
A PROGRAMME OF POLITICAL DECLARATIONS:
From the opening speech by Barr. Salman Jawondo, SAN, to the interventions by Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Chief J.B. Ayeni, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, Rep. Ismail Kayode Tijani and Senator Saliu Mustapha, the event featured a series of speeches touching on political leadership, representation, development and the road to 2027.
The atmosphere at AMBA Open Space, Audi Road, Fate, Ilorin, was marked by a strong display of political mobilisation, with a mammoth crowd witnessing the formal launch of the Rainbow Coalition.
The various declarations and remarks underscored the increasingly active political environment in Kwara State as stakeholders begin to shape alliances and build support ahead of the 2027 elections.
