The Kwara State chapter of Afenifere has cautioned political stakeholders in the state against allowing religious considerations to dominate the political landscape as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.
The socio-cultural group said political leadership in Kwara should not be reduced to questions of faith, warning that such an approach could threaten the state’s history of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Ilorin and signed by the state chairman of Afenifere, Chief Lekan Alabi.
Afenifere expressed concern over what it described as a growing perception that political leadership in the state is increasingly being interpreted along religious lines. It noted that such thinking contradicts Kwara’s plural character and its long-standing reputation as a crossroads of cultures and beliefs.
According to Alabi, any political arrangement that creates the impression that leadership belongs to a particular religious group is not only backward but could also destabilise the state. He stressed that the organisation’s position was not intended to promote sectarian politics or inflame religious sentiments, but to call for fairness, restraint and inclusion as political activities intensify.
While recognising that zoning and power-sharing frameworks are sometimes used to ensure balance, the group warned that such mechanisms should not be manipulated in ways that sideline segments of the population. It maintained that leadership should be based on merit, integrity, capacity and public acceptance rather than religious affiliation.
Afenifere recalled that Kwara’s political evolution has been driven by leaders who rose above ethnic and religious divides, adding that the state’s stability has largely depended on its ability to prioritise shared interests over narrow considerations.
The group also placed its concerns within the wider national context, warning that perceptions of religious exclusion could have serious consequences ahead of the 2027 polls, particularly at a time when issues of insecurity, extremism and social cohesion are under heightened focus in the Middle Belt and surrounding regions.
It warned that careless political messaging could fuel suspicion and weaken communal trust, urging political leaders, traditional authorities and opinion leaders to promote inclusive and reassuring discourse.
Afenifere commended voices advocating moderation and merit-based leadership, stressing that Kwara must avoid unnecessary divisions as it approaches the next election cycle. It said the state deserved a political process that clearly demonstrates that no community or faith is excluded from its collective future.
