From Chambers to Campaign Trail: Zakari Mohammed Emerges ADC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Kwara 2027
From Chambers to Campaign Trail: Zakari Mohammed Emerges ADC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Kwara 2027
Former House of Representatives spokesperson, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, has emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Kwara State in the 2027 general elections.
Mohammed, who was the sole gubernatorial aspirant, was unanimously chosen as consensus candidate by members and leaders of the party, securing 18,860 votes in a direct primary held to formalise his candidacy. [Federal Inland Revenue
Announcing the results, the Chairman of the Kwara State ADC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Orker Jev Emmanuel Yisa, represented by the Secretary, Architect Shimaka Sekegh, confirmed Mohammed’s emergence and also announced that Hon. Risikat Tunrayo Abdullahi, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo and Mallam Taoheed Bala Usman won the senatorial nominations for Kwara Central, Kwara South and Kwara North respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Mohammed struck a tone that blended gratitude with ambition. “The overwhelming confidence reposed in me by our national leadership, state leaders, stakeholders, and the teeming members of the African Democratic Congress across Kwara State, in adopting me as the consensus Governorship candidate of our great party, is deeply humbling and profoundly appreciated,” he said. “I sincerely thank every leader and member of the party for this rare demonstration of trust, unity, and commitment to the collective aspiration of building a better Kwara State anchored on justice, competence, accountability, and people-oriented governance.”
He promised to give the state a new face if elected governor, declaring: “By the Grace of God, we will deliver on the ADC manifesto. It is a party for the young people, the women, senior citizens, artisans and everyone. Everybody is welcomed and made to get involved. I assure you that by the Grace of God, ADC will take over the control of Ahmadu Bello Government House, Ilorin, next year.”
He also called on all Kwarans and Nigerians who desire genuine change to massively support ADC candidates from top to bottom, arguing that “the current economic hardship, suffering, and hopelessness imposed on Nigerians under the administration of the All Progressives Congress can only be reversed through purposeful leadership and people-centred governance.” He added that the party “stands firmly against godfatherism, political intimidation, and imposed leadership.”
Politics Digest reports that Mohammed’s emergence as a governorship standard-bearer is the latest chapter in a public service journey spanning over two decades. He hails from Gure, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara North, born to Lafia Mohammed, an educationist of royal lineage. After his West African School Certificate from Borgu Secondary School, New Bussa, he studied at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the International Institute of Journalism, and the University of Ilorin — earning diplomas in Civil Law and Journalism, a degree in Sociology and Anthropology, and a Master’s in Criminology. He also holds a certificate from the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Emerging Leaders Programme.
He began his career as an Assistant Producer at the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation, rising to Senior Reporter and Producer before retiring from broadcasting in 2002 for active politics. He served as Special Assistant on Sports Matters to the Executive Governor of Kwara State (2003–2007), Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development (2007–2009), and Commissioner for Energy (2009–2010).
In 2011, he was elected to the Federal House of Representatives representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs in the 7th Assembly. He was re-elected in 2015, serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services and Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Oil Swap Agreements — accumulating a legislative record that saw him sponsor the National e-Library Bill, raise motions on AMCON debt recovery, probe expatriate quota abuses, and champion the restructuring of the EFCC’s witness protection framework.
His constituency footprint across two terms includes the reconstruction of 24 schools across Baruten and Kaiama local government areas, the sinking of over 50 motorised and hand-pumped boreholes, the establishment of the Federal Government Girls Unity School in Okuta, the facilitation of employment for over 110 constituents across federal agencies, and the distribution of approximately 1,000 motorcycles under four phases of his Mai Jama’a Empowerment Programme.
His emergence places him in a competitive 2027 Kwara governorship field that political observers describe as a revival of the enduring Saraki-AbdulRazaq rivalry that has largely defined the state’s political direction since 1999.
Political observers say the emergence of Zakari Mohammed may further strengthen the contest ahead of the governorship election.
The ADC State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, commended party members for the success of the primaries, declaring that the ADC promotes peace and would become the ruling party in the state next year. He urged party members to return to the 193 electoral wards in the state and begin working immediately for the upcoming general elections.
Mohammed holds the traditional title of Lafia Yeruma of Kpelle Kingdom, Benin Republic, and is married to Hajia Kofo Khairat Zakari and Hajia Halima Adesuwa Zakari.
By TimesNG