Kwara North zoning row deepens as third-term bid faces resistance

By Lateef Ibrahim

The alleged third-term ambition of the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Sadiq Suleiman Umar, has run into opposition, as stakeholders in parts of the district reject any move that could extend his tenure beyond two terms.
The opposition was made public on Tuesday in Ilorin during a press conference organised by the Patigi Emirate Development Union, (PEDU), led by its National President, Salihu Bologi Umar.
The group expressed concern over reports that the senator may seek re-election in the 2027 general elections, insisting that such a move would violate the existing zoning arrangement in the senatorial district.
According to PEDU, Kwara North has historically operated a rotational system of representation among its constituent local government areas to ensure fairness, equity and political balance.
The group maintained that two terms should remain the standard limit for senators in the district, arguing that it is now the turn of Patigi Local Government Area to produce the next senator.
“Kwara North belongs to all its constituent communities equally. No individual or local government area should dominate the collective political destiny of the district at the expense of fairness, balance, and democratic justice,” the group stated.
It warned that any attempt to sideline Patigi Emirate in the 2027 senatorial race could push stakeholders within the area to reconsider their political alignment and explore alternative democratic platforms.
However, PEDU stressed that its position should not be interpreted as a threat, but rather as a call for justice, inclusion, and preservation of political trust within the district.
The group further urged political actors, traditional institutions, youth groups, and community leaders across Kwara North to uphold dialogue, fairness and mutual respect in the interest of political stability and democratic sustainability.
It also reaffirmed that the long-standing zoning arrangement—rotating senatorial representation among the local government areas every two terms—has helped maintain peace and cooperation in the district, and should be strictly observed ahead of the 2027 elections.