In what political watchers describe as a strategic boost ahead of the 2027 elections, the Nupe community in the Ilorin Emirate has publicly declared its support for the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governorship aspiration of Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Senator representing Kwara Central District.
The declaration came under the platform of the Nupe Progressives of Ilorin Emirate, following what the group described as “extensive consultations” and a thorough review of the track records of both leaders.
The endorsement ceremony, held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, brought together a cross-section of influential figures from the Nupe community, including traditional title holders, Islamic clerics, youth leaders, women mobilisers, and respected elders from across the five local government areas of Kwara Central.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Senator Mustapha, both from Kwara Central, were well-represented at the gathering, though the event deliberately steered clear of the politically sensitive zoning debate.
Speaking at the event, Senator Mustapha’s aide, Abdulkareem Alabi, described the endorsement as a “profound vote of confidence” in the Senator’s leadership and President Tinubu’s administration. He urged the Nupe community to remain united and to continue backing the AbdulRazaq administration’s developmental agenda.
Senator Mustapha, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, is serving his first term at the National Assembly. His relationship with the Nupe community reportedly deepened during the 2023 elections, when he made specific campaign promises that he has since fulfilled.
Comrade Abdulrauf Saheed (Na’aAllah), a prominent youth mobiliser, highlighted these fulfilled promises as the foundation for the community’s decision. “Our experience with Senator Mustapha is unique. He kept his word, and that matters,” Saheed said. “If one good turn deserves another, we will stand with him and with President Tinubu, regardless of political affiliation.”
Speakers at the meeting also lauded Senator Mustapha’s empowerment initiatives, noting that they had made tangible impacts on youths, women, and local businesses within the Ilorin Emirate. They equally commended President Tinubu’s bold economic and governance reforms, expressing confidence in his ability to steer Nigeria towards stability and growth.
“In our more than 100 years within the Ilorin Emirate, no political leader has carried the Nupe people along like Senator Mustapha,” Saheed added. “At the national level, we believe President Tinubu has the courage and capacity to continue leading Nigeria on the path of progress. Both deserve our unshakable support in 2027.”
Prayers were offered during the meeting for the continued success of both leaders, with clerics invoking blessings for wisdom, strength, and protection over their political journeys.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, the convener and Maiyaki ’N’ Nupe of Ilorin Emirate expressed gratitude for what he described as “unprecedented recognition and inclusion” enjoyed by the Nupe community under Senator Mustapha’s representation. He also praised President Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the nation and urged the community to remain politically active to protect their interests.
According to the 9am News report, political analysts see this endorsement as a significant grassroots advantage for both President Tinubu and Senator Mustapha ahead of the 2027 polls, particularly in Kwara’s complex political landscape where ethnic and community alliances often play decisive roles.
With this backing from the Nupe Progressives of Ilorin Emirate, both leaders appear to have secured a loyal bloc of supporters committed to rallying votes and sustaining campaign momentum in the years ahead.
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