A political analyst and former lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Abubakar Lasiele, has criticised the decision of both the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress to choose governorship candidates from the same local government area in Kwara State ahead of the 2027 election.
Lasiele described the move as a major political mistake, warning that both parties could weaken their chances by sharing votes from the same political stronghold.
Speaking during the annual dinner organised by the Third Estate group in Ilorin, the political scientist said the APC and ADC candidates — Engr. Yakubu Danladi and Hon. Zakari Mohammed — are both from Baruten Local Government Area.
According to him, having two strong contenders from the same area may split voter support within Kwara North, instead of helping either party build wider political strength across the state.
He noted that Zakari Mohammed could even enjoy a slight advantage because of his past experience representing the Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Lasiele argued that political parties should focus more on candidates who can win elections based on personal popularity, leadership capacity and public support, rather than depending heavily on political godfathers or incumbency influence.
He stressed that before selecting candidates, parties should ask whether such individuals can genuinely attract votes on their own without external political backing.
The former lecturer also condemned the growing trend of politicians turning Eid prayer grounds into campaign venues.
He warned political actors across parties, including the APC and PDP, to respect the religious importance of such gatherings and avoid using them for political mobilisation.
Lasiele said sacred places should not be turned into political battlegrounds, urging politicians to exercise caution and show respect for religious events and worship centres.