‘No Muslim-Muslim Governorship Ticket in Kwara in 2027’
By Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies has called on political parties, leaders and stakeholders in Kwara State to give serious consideration to religious balance and inclusion ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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Adesanya-Davies said she believes the time has come for Kwara State to produce another Christian governor, arguing that the issue of a Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket should not be presented as the only option in the 2027 election.
According to her, her position is not a call for the exclusion of Muslims from political leadership but an appeal for fair representation, inclusion and what she described as historical balance in a religiously diverse state.
Kwara’s last elected Christian governor was Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, who won the 1983 governorship election on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). His administration was cut short by the military coup of December 1983.
Adesanya-Davies said the long period since Adebayo’s tenure makes Christian representation at the governorship level a legitimate subject of public discussion.
“Kwara belongs to Christians and Muslims alike. No religious community should be made to feel permanently excluded from the highest elective office in the state. After decades without an elected Christian governor, it is reasonable and historically significant to demand a Christian governorship opportunity in 2027.”
She therefore urged political parties to consider religious balance when selecting their governorship candidates and running mates, particularly where a credible, competent and broadly acceptable Christian candidate is available.
She stressed, however, that religious identity should not replace competence, integrity, capacity, experience, character and commitment to the people.
Religious Balance Is Not Religious Domination
The former presidential candidate said her call for a Christian governor should not be interpreted as an attack on Muslims or Islam.
Rather, she described it as a question of inclusive political representation.
“Muslims have every constitutional right to contest and occupy public office, just as Christians do. The issue is not whether a Muslim can govern Kwara. The issue is whether Christians should continue indefinitely without an opportunity to produce an elected governor.”
She argued that religious balance and merit can coexist in the political process.
“Competence and inclusion are not enemies. Kwara has Christians who are capable of providing excellent leadership, just as it has capable Muslims. The political system should create room for both communities to participate meaningfully.”
2027 Must Be a New Conversation
Adesanya-Davies noted that the 2027 governorship race has already produced different political configurations.
The list of governorship candidates and running mates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in August 2026 included the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket of Yakubu Danladi-Salihu and Bello Mubarak Salau, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded Kawu Sulaiman Bolakale with Fawenu Corlenius Sunday as his running mate.
She said the emergence of tickets with different religious compositions shows that religious representation is already part of the political conversation in the state.
Adesanya-Davies urged political parties and stakeholders to engage the issue openly rather than dismiss concerns about representation.
A Historical Moment for Kwara
She described the 2027 election as an opportunity for Kwarans to have a serious conversation about the historical distribution of political power in the state.
“History matters in governance. Representation matters. Inclusion matters. If a significant component of Kwara’s population has not produced an elected governor for more than four decades, that historical reality deserves attention.”
She urged Christian and Muslim leaders, traditional rulers, political parties, civil society organisations and young people to discuss the issue peacefully and responsibly.
She also cautioned against religious incitement, hate speech and attacks on political candidates because of their faith.
Competence, Character and Inclusion
Adesanya-Davies emphasised that her advocacy is not for the election of a Christian simply because the person is Christian.
“Kwara does not need a governor who is merely Christian. Kwara needs a competent, visionary, accountable and development-oriented governor who happens to be Christian.”
She said any Christian candidate seeking the governorship must demonstrate the capacity to govern Muslims, Christians and people of every faith or no faith equally, while protecting the constitutional rights of every citizen.
She concluded:
“Let 2027 be remembered as the year Kwara seriously confronted the question of inclusive representation. Let competence meet opportunity. Let history be acknowledged. Let no religious community be permanently excluded. It is time to open the door for a credible Christian governor of Kwara State.”
Signed:
Joy Wellington
Contact: Office of the SSA on Media and Publicity
Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Former Presidential Candidate
Professor of Applied Linguistics & Communication Studies
Secretary, Elite Women, Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs
Princess of Ira, Oyun LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria
