The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has changed its deputy governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The party has replaced Bello Mubarak Salau with Hon. Oluwaseun David Oguniyi, a serving member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency.

Oguniyi, popularly known as Adato, hails from Offa Local Government Area of the state. He is now expected to contest as the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

The change comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously listed Salau as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 poll.

The development has attracted reactions from the 52-Youth Coalition (52-YC), which questioned the decision to have two serving lawmakers occupy the top positions on the party’s governorship ticket.

According to the coalition, the APC’s choice of Salihu and Oguniyi means that both the governorship and deputy governorship positions would be contested by serving legislators. The group also raised questions about the level of executive experience available on the ticket.

The coalition further stated that another serving member of the Kwara State House of Assembly was being considered for the position of Speaker, adding to its concerns about the concentration of lawmakers in key political positions.

The 52-YC said the party had other individuals from business, academia and professional backgrounds who could have been considered for the executive positions.

It urged voters in Kwara State to assess the backgrounds, previous records, experience and policy plans of candidates as preparations for the 2027 election continue.

The change in the APC’s ticket comes as political parties in Kwara State continue to organise their structures and prepare for the next governorship contest.

The party’s decision to replace its deputy governorship candidate is therefore expected to form part of the ongoing political developments ahead of the 2027 election.