A fresh political storm is brewing in Kwara State as the 2027 governorship ambition of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, comes under intense legal and political scrutiny over allegations of “double participation” in party primaries.
A civil society organisation, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative, has dragged the Speaker, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Federal High Court in Abuja over what it describes as a violation of electoral rules.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1112/2026, is questioning how the Speaker allegedly took part in two separate primaries within the same election cycle — one for the Kwara State House of Assembly seat and another for the governorship ticket of the APC.
According to the allegations, Salihu was screened and cleared to contest the House of Assembly primary for Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency held on May 20, 2026. Shockingly, he was also said to have participated in the APC governorship primaries held between May 21 and May 22, where he eventually emerged as a candidate.
The group is now asking the court to determine whether a politician can legally contest for two different elective positions in the same election season under the Electoral Act, 2026, while still maintaining recognition from a political party.
In its suit, the organisation is seeking a declaration that the Speaker’s simultaneous participation in both primaries is unlawful, unconstitutional, and in violation of electoral guidelines governing nominations and party conduct.
They are also asking the court to nullify his governorship candidacy and stop INEC from recognising or publishing his name as the APC flagbearer should the allegations be upheld.
The plaintiffs argue that allowing such a situation to stand would undermine the credibility of the electoral process and create a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 general elections.
